Alcohol, Drugs & Impaired Driving Flashcards

How does alcohol affect a driver's reaction time at a BAC of 0.08%?

Answer: Reaction time is significantly slowed, increasing stopping distance

At 0.08% BAC, reaction time is significantly slowed, which at highway speeds can add tens of feet to stopping distance and dramatically increase crash risk.

Which of the following prescription medications most commonly warns users NOT to operate heavy machinery or drive?

Answer: Benzodiazepines and opioid pain relievers

Benzodiazepines and opioid pain relievers cause sedation, impaired coordination, and slowed reaction times, making it dangerous to drive while taking them.

A driver with a BAC above the legal limit causes a fatal crash. Under most state laws, what is the most serious criminal charge they could face?

Answer: Vehicular manslaughter or DUI homicide

Causing a fatal crash while driving under the influence typically results in charges of vehicular manslaughter or DUI homicide, which carry substantial prison sentences.

What is an ignition interlock device (IID) and when is it typically required?

Answer: A breathalyzer connected to the ignition that prevents starting if BAC is above a threshold, often required after DUI conviction

An IID requires the driver to provide a breath sample before and during driving; the vehicle will not start if BAC exceeds a preset limit, and it is commonly mandated after DUI convictions.

Which of the following best describes the 'standard field sobriety test' (SFST) battery used by law enforcement?

Answer: Three standardized physical tests: HGN, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand

The NHTSA-standardized SFST battery consists of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand tests to detect impairment.

How does marijuana impairment differ from alcohol impairment in terms of detection and driving risk?

Answer: Marijuana impairs lane tracking and reaction time but lacks a reliable standardized roadside test correlating THC level to impairment

Marijuana impairs driving by affecting lane tracking, reaction time, and attention, but no standardized roadside test reliably correlates blood THC levels to actual impairment.

What does NHTSA data show about the relationship between alcohol and traffic fatalities in the United States?

Answer: Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for roughly one-third of all U.S. traffic fatalities annually

NHTSA data consistently shows that alcohol-impaired driving causes approximately one-third (around 32–38%) of all U.S. traffic fatalities each year.