DTT Alcohol, Drugs, and Safe Driving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What effect does tiredness have on driving?
- It slows reaction time and can cause microsleeps at the wheel (Correct answer)
- It has minimal impact if you feel generally alert
- It only affects night-time driving
- Tiredness increases caution, which improves safety
Correct answer: It slows reaction time and can cause microsleeps at the wheel
Fatigue significantly impairs driving — reaction time slows, concentration lapses, and microsleeps (brief involuntary sleep episodes lasting 4-5 seconds) can occur without warning.
Question 2: What should you do if you feel drowsy while driving on a motorway?
- Exit at the nearest junction, park safely, and take a break or short nap (Correct answer)
- Open the window and turn up the radio to stay alert
- Increase speed to reach your destination faster
- Drink coffee and continue driving
Correct answer: Exit at the nearest junction, park safely, and take a break or short nap
If drowsy while driving, the only safe option is to stop driving. Exit the motorway, park in a safe area, and take a short sleep. Radio and open windows are temporary distractions that do not prevent microsleeps.
Question 3: What does 'drug driving' mean under Irish law?
- Driving while impaired by any drug, including legal medications (Correct answer)
- Driving with illegal drugs in the vehicle
- Using drugs within 24 hours of driving
- Driving after recreational drug use only
Correct answer: Driving while impaired by any drug, including legal medications
Drug driving in Irish law means driving while impaired by any drug — including prescribed medications, over-the-counter medicines, and illegal substances. The test is impairment, not just the presence of the substance.
Question 4: What roadside test can Gardaí use to check for drug impairment?
- Preliminary impairment test (PIT) including a drug-detection oral fluid test (Correct answer)
- Blood test at the roadside
- Urine test at the roadside
- Observation of eye movement only
Correct answer: Preliminary impairment test (PIT) including a drug-detection oral fluid test
Gardaí can conduct a Preliminary Impairment Test (PIT), which may include observation of physical signs and an oral fluid drug test. A positive result leads to further testing at a Garda station.
Question 5: How many drinks does it take to exceed Ireland's 50 mg BAC limit?
- It varies by individual — body weight, gender, food intake, and metabolism all affect BAC (Correct answer)
- Exactly 3 standard drinks for any adult
- 2 pints of beer always brings a male over the limit
- One glass of wine — wine contains more alcohol than beer
Correct answer: It varies by individual — body weight, gender, food intake, and metabolism all affect BAC
There is no guaranteed 'safe' number of drinks because BAC is affected by body weight, gender, food consumed, metabolism, and the type and strength of alcohol. The only truly safe approach is to not drink at all before driving.
Question 6: What is the safest approach to alcohol if you plan to drive?
- Do not drink any alcohol before driving (Correct answer)
- Stick to one standard drink per hour
- Eat a full meal before drinking to slow absorption
- Drink water between alcoholic drinks to dilute the effect
Correct answer: Do not drink any alcohol before driving
The only guaranteed way to stay below the legal limit and drive safely is to consume no alcohol at all before driving. No eating, drinking water, or pacing strategy can reliably keep your BAC safe.
DTT Alcohol, Drugs, and Safe Driving 2
What effect does tiredness have on driving?