..........................................................................................  PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOU—THE DRIVER  The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 05/22/2020  9  Illegal drugs and controlled substances,  such as marijuana, also affect a person’s  reflexes, judgment and alertness along  with their many other dangerous side  effects. These drugs can give a person  a false sense of alertness and self- confidence or make a person drowsy  and unable to react to simple situations.  Alcohol and drugs should not be  consumed at the same time. Mixing  alcohol and drugs ofen multiplies the  effects of the alcohol and any other  drugs. For example, one drink, when  you are also taking an allergy or cold  medication, could have the same effect  as several drinks.  Because drinking alcohol and driving  is so dangerous, the penalties are very  tough. People who drive afer drinking  risk heavy fines, higher insurance rates,  loss of driver license, and even jail  sentences. A DUI (Driving Under the  Influence) conviction must remain on  your driving record for 75 years.  If you drink alcohol—even just one  drink—your chances of being in a crash  are much greater than if you did not  drink any alcohol. No one can drink  alcohol and drive safely, even if you  have been driving for many years.  Even one drink of alcohol can affect your  driving. Alcohol slows your reflexes and  reaction time, reduces your ability to  see clearly, and makes you less alert.  You will have trouble judging distance,  speed, and movement of other vehicles.  You will also have trouble controlling  your vehicle.  Besides alcohol, there are many drugs  that can affect a person’s ability to safely  operate a vehicle. This is true for many  prescription drugs, as well as over-the- counter medications for allergies and  colds. If a person is taking medication,  they should be sure to check the label  for warnings about the medication’s  effects prior to driving. If they are not  sure it is safe to take the drug and  drive, they should ask their doctor or  pharmacist about any side effects.  Driving while impaired by drugs is illegal  and subject to the same penalties as  driving while impaired by alcohol.  Alcohol reduces all of the important  skills necessary to drive safely, such  as judgment, reaction, vision, and  concentration. Alcohol is absorbed  into the lining of the stomach and then  passes directly into the bloodstream and  reaches your brain within minutes afer  consumption.  A person’s judgment is  the first thing affected afer drinking  an alcoholic beverage.  Drinking & Driving  Drugged Driving  Do Not Drink and Drive!  • Before drinking, designate a  sober driver.  • If you are the designated driver, do  not drink. One drink is one  too many. • If you are impaired—and did not  designate a driver—take a taxi, call a  sober family member, or use public  transportation to get home safely.  • Remember, friends don’t let friends  drive drunk. If you know someone  who is about to drive impaired, take  their keys and help them get a safe  ride home.