DTT Alcohol, Drugs, and Safe Driving 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What affect can energy drinks combined with alcohol have on driving?
- They mask tiredness but do not reduce actual impairment from alcohol (Correct answer)
- They neutralise alcohol and make driving safer
- They increase reaction speed sufficiently to compensate
- They have no interaction with alcohol
Correct answer: They mask tiredness but do not reduce actual impairment from alcohol
Caffeine in energy drinks can mask the sedative effect of alcohol, making a driver feel more alert than they are. The actual degree of alcohol impairment remains unchanged — it is a false sense of sobriety.
Question 2: If you are prescribed medication that may impair driving, what must you do?
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist and read the patient information leaflet — avoid driving if advised (Correct answer)
- Continue driving as long as you feel fine
- Halve the dose on days you need to drive
- Only drive on short journeys while taking the medication
Correct answer: Consult your doctor or pharmacist and read the patient information leaflet — avoid driving if advised
If medication may impair driving, you must seek professional advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet for driving warnings. Driving while impaired by medication is an offence.
Question 3: What does the 'morning after' rule for drink driving in Ireland mean for drivers?
- You should check whether you have fully metabolised alcohol before driving the next day — do not assume you are under the limit (Correct answer)
- Alcohol is fully metabolised by morning after a good night's sleep
- You are always legal to drive 8 hours after your last drink
- Only night-time driving is subject to alcohol limits
Correct answer: You should check whether you have fully metabolised alcohol before driving the next day — do not assume you are under the limit
Many drivers are still over the legal limit the morning after heavy drinking. Sleep does not speed up alcohol metabolism. The safe rule is to not drive if you have any doubt about your BAC.
Question 4: Which of these is a common effect of alcohol that increases collision risk?
- Tunnel vision — reduced peripheral vision (Correct answer)
- Improved night vision due to pupil dilation
- Faster reflexes due to stimulant effect at low doses
- Increased focus and attention to detail
Correct answer: Tunnel vision — reduced peripheral vision
Alcohol reduces peripheral vision, creating a form of tunnel vision. This means a driver may miss hazards that appear at the edges of their visual field — significantly increasing collision risk.
Question 5: What is the safest way to designate a driver when going out with a group?
- Nominate one person before going out who agrees to drink no alcohol for the evening (Correct answer)
- Rotate the designated driver role throughout the night
- Use the person who 'feels least drunk' at the end of the night
- Share the driving between two people who have had fewer drinks
Correct answer: Nominate one person before going out who agrees to drink no alcohol for the evening
The designated driver must commit to drinking no alcohol before the outing begins. Choosing mid-evening, rotating, or picking the 'least drunk' person all risk driving above the limit.
Question 6: What is the impact of sleep deprivation on driving performance?
- Performance is similar to having a BAC of 0.05% — reaction time, awareness, and decision-making are all impaired (Correct answer)
- It only affects driving performance on long journeys
- Drivers self-correct through habit and muscle memory
- It increases alertness through mild stress
Correct answer: Performance is similar to having a BAC of 0.05% — reaction time, awareness, and decision-making are all impaired
Research shows that being awake for 17-18 hours produces driving impairment equivalent to a BAC of 0.05%. After 24 hours, impairment equals 0.10% BAC. Sleep deprivation is as dangerous as drink driving.
DTT Alcohol, Drugs, and Safe Driving 4
What affect can energy drinks combined with alcohol have on driving?