Driver’s Manual | 51 CHAPTER 9 / ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS OTHER DRUGS WHAT ALCOHOL DOES You have probably heard the facts before –  driving while impaired or intoxicated is a serious  traffic safety problem in the United States. In New  York State, more than 20 percent of all highway  deaths involve the use of alcohol or other drugs.  But the facts and statistics do not tell the whole  story. Behind the numbers are thousands of lives  cut short, permanent or disabling injuries, and  families devastated because someone drove  while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. When you drink alcohol or take other drugs,  safe driving is not possible. Not every impaired or  intoxicated driver causes a traffic crash, but each  one is dangerous, putting the lives of himself or  herself and those sharing the road at risk. You do not have to look or feel intoxicated  for these things to occur. The effects of alcohol  consumption can begin long before you become  intoxicated or even legally impaired and begin  with the first drink. As alcohol physically limits your ability to drive,  it also makes you less aware of what is happening  to your safe driving abilities. It becomes difficult  for you to judge your condition. You can gain  confidence about driving, when you should not be  driving at all. During each mile you drive, you make hundreds  of decisions. Your decisions turn into actions that  keep your vehicle controlled and ensure you  avoid crashes. Alcohol makes it difficult to make  correct decisions and to take the safest actions. Young people, who have less experience with  alcohol or drugs and driving are especially at high  risk. Drivers under age 21 are approximately 4  percent of the driving population, but 7 percent of  the impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes. This  is one reason the driver license revocation penal- ties are more severe for young drivers who drive  under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. For example:  You have just stopped at a STOP  sign. You see another vehicle approaching the  intersection. You must quickly make a decision  whether it is safe to go through the intersection.  Under the influence of alcohol, you are more like- ly to make a wrong decision and “take a chance.”  Your slower reaction time, and the bad decision,  could cause a crash. Because driving “under the influence” is so  dangerous, the penalties for alcohol or drug-re- lated violations are tough and enforcement is  important. The chance of apprehension and con- viction are high and New York State law strictly  limits your ability to plea bargain when charged  with an offense related to alcohol or drugs. Alcohol increases reaction time, reduces your  ability to see clearly, changes your judgment of  speed and distances, often makes you less inhib- ited and makes you more prone to take chances.  The important skills you need to drive safely are  made weaker. Because your vision is normally restricted at  night, it is especially dangerous to drink and drive  after dark. Alcohol also reduces your ability to re- cover from the glare of headlights. When another  vehicle moves toward you, you can be blinded by  its headlights for a long period of time. Drugs, which include many prescription and  over-the-counter medications, can affect your  ability to drive. They can have effects similar to  alcohol or even worse. If you take medication,  even a remedy for colds or allergies that is not  prescribed, check the label for warnings about  its effects. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or  pharmacist about driving while on the medication. Never drink alcohol while you are taking other  drugs. It could be dangerous, often enhancing  the effects of the alcohol and the other drug. For  example, taking one drink while you are also using a cold remedy could affect you as much as several drinks.