What alcohol does at traffic

WHAT ALCOHOL DOES
Alcohol reduces reaction time, reduces your ability to see clearly, changes your judgment of speed and distances, often makes you less inhibited 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 recover from the
glare of headlights. When another vehicle moves toward you, you can be blinded by
its headlights for a long period of time.
You do not have to look or feel intoxicated for these things to occur. The symptoms 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.
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 likely to
make a wrong decision and “take a chance.” Your slower reaction time, and the bad
decision, could cause a crash.