Disclaimer: This article aims to educate readers on the health risks of drunk driving. When involved in a drunk driving accident, it is best to call a medical professional in case immediate medical treatment is needed. Consult your legal representative to be informed about the legal aspects of drunk driving.
Alcohol-impaired driving, as well as drunk driving, is not only a serious road problem but also a risky health problem. A simple night of merriment and a bad decision can lead to loss of lives. In fact, drunk driving claims at least 11,000 deaths every year. For most states, a blood alcohol content or BAC of 0.10% is already legally drunk. Once you reach this level, your chances of being able to drive responsibly are zero.
Physical Risks
Driving while you are drunk can cause you to lose concentration. Your reaction time also slows down. This puts you at risk as you have to fully concentrate on the road to be able to react to sudden situations.
Getting involved in a drunk driving accident can cause physical injuries. Being involved in an accident is no joke. No matter how severe or light the accident, you are still at risk of becoming injured. You may suffer a concussion, bruises, cuts and even serious injuries on your arms, legs or head.
Financial Risks
When involved in a drunk driving accident, you are at risk of paying for damages. You may be required to pay for the other car’s damages as well as your own. You might need to pay for the litigation fees in case the accident is brought to the courts. You may have car insurance; however, there are instances when insurance companies do not cover some costs related to this type of accident.
Legal Risks
There are also legal risks involved when you get involved in a drunk driving accident. Some of these legal consequences include:
- Possible jail time
- Job loss
- Alcoholism treatment as ordered by the court
- Revocation of driver’s license and more.
Individual states have different laws as well as penalties when it comes to drunk driving. It is not worth risking everything to drunk driving. Take note of the legal implications of your actions before you drink and drive.
Health Risks
Alcoholism poses a lot of health risks. It does a lot of damage to the body such as:
- Brain. Alcohol affects the brain’s neurotransmitters. As a result, you may notice some changes in your mood, behavior and cognitive thinking. Severe alcohol consumption effects on the brain may result in memory lapses as well as blackouts.
- Heart. Binge drinking can also lead to heart problems including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cardiomyopathy and
- Heart failure
- Liver. The liver is in charge of filtering the toxins from the food and drinks we consume. Alcohol and the liver are not meant to be together. Once alcohol enters the body, it acts as a diuretic that dehydrates the liver. As a result, you may experience dehydration. Too much alcohol can cause various liver diseases such as:
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty liver and
- Fibrosis
- Pancreas. Too much alcohol can cause the pancreas to release harmful toxins that can develop into pancreatitis. This condition is the swelling and inflammation of the pancreas’ blood vessels. Pancreatitis makes it difficult for the body to digest food or drink properly.
- Immune system. Drinking too many causes the immune system to get weaker. As a result, you are more prone to contracting diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Drinking as well as alcoholism poses many health risks. Before you get carried away with your drinks, think about the consequences that your body might suffer.
Be A Responsible Driver
Driving is a privilege and most people take it for granted. They feel like it is their right to drive when they turn 18. Once they get their driver’s license, the only thing that comes to their mind is driving a car. Sadly, they rarely pay attention to the responsibilities that come with being able to drive.
Drunk driving can be avoided as long as the driver is responsible. If you have a few drinks, it is best to avoid taking the wheel. Ask someone sober to drive you instead or if you know you are going to be drinking, leave your car at home.
Sharon Golden
Sharon Golden has been a law writer and businesswoman for more than 20 years, and she is currently working on his next big project. Her pieces offer knowledge on various law topics that are easily understandable to the common reader. Sharon cannot be separated from Sophia, their family dog. When Sharon has the time, she’s always seen walking Sophia around the city.
