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What are the Different Types of Impaired Driving?

  • January 30, 2025
  • 4 min read
What are the Different Types of Impaired Driving?

Most traffic accidents are caused by driver errors. Most often, such accidents involve some kind of driving impairment. Driving a vehicle requires complete physical and mental awareness and understanding to navigate the roadways safely. There are several factors that can impair your abilities behind the wheel. So, what are the types of impaired driving? Find out the answer here.

  1. Driving While Being Fatigued

According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, 1 in 5 fatal traffic accidents are related to drowsy drivers. In medical terms, drowsiness has similar effects on the brain as the effects of alcohol. Driving while being fatigued is a common problem as people lead an increasingly busy and hectic lifestyle. You cannot replace a proper and relaxing sleep session with coffee or radio.

If you knowingly get behind the wheel while being fatigued, it is your fault if an accident occurs. Any time you are too tired to drive, it is recommended to get a cab, ask a friend or family member to pick you up, or take public transportation.

  1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a common cause of impaired driving. Alcohol can cloud your judgment and affect your motor skills. Alcohol-impaired drivers can be noticed by their slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and irregular driving. It takes only three to four drinks to become legally intoxicated.

Driving while intoxicated can slow down the reaction times, worsen your focus, and impair your coordination and balance. The effects of driving under the influence of alcohol can include:

  • Inability to judge speed
  • Running red lights and stop signs
  • Inability to hit the brakes in time or turn the wheel
  • Swerving in and out of lanes

Despite the efforts of the authorities to reduce drunken driving-related accidents, the rates continue to be high every year.

  1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving increases the chances of drivers making mistakes. It is considered a negligent action. If you cause an accident due to distracted driving, you are highly likely to be considered guilty. Using a cell phone while driving is among the most common causes of distracted driving. However, there are many other factors that can impair your driving due to distraction. These include:

  • Eating while driving
  • Talking to passengers while driving
  • Reaching onto the passenger seat or the floor while driving
  • Adjusting the GPS, music, or another device

Distractions can be manual, visual, and cognitive nature.

  1. Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Driving while drugged is also considered as impaired driving. This includes driving under the influence of both illegal and legal over-the-counter prescription drugs. While breathalyzer or other on-site tests do not exist for testing drivers for the influence of drugs, later blood tests can be conducted. Still, law enforcement officers can arrest drivers driving under the influence of drugs.

  1. Driving with a Medical Condition

Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, epilepsy, and diabetes have the potential to cause sudden loss of consciousness. If you happen to lose your consciousness when behind the wheel, it can result in terrible consequences for you and others on the road. If you drive with a certain medical condition, it can also be treated as impaired driving.

If you are likely to have seizures due to your medical condition, you should not be driving. If you cause an accident, you can be held guilty. Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Vertigo, and multiple sclerosis can also impair your ability to drive.

So, these are the different types of impaired driving conditions. Whether you are fatigued or under the influence of a substance, you should take precautions and avoid getting behind the wheel. Following these precautions can protect your health as well as your financial condition.

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Jinal Shah

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