Car accidents involving intoxicated drivers and a non-intoxicated drivers can be dangerous and lead to injuries for both drivers and any passengers. Driving while being intoxicated can quickly increase the chances of being involved in an accident, so it’s important to understand the effect of being intoxicated and why you should never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Drivers with a BAC of .08 are approximately 4 times more likely to crash than sober drivers. At a BAC of .15, drivers are 12 times more likely to crash than non-intoxicated drivers. It is obvious that driving intoxicated is very dangerous and can lead to serious accidents.
Is It True That Intoxicated Drivers Get Less Injured in Accidents Than Sober Drivers?
It is common to hear that sober drivers are always hurt worse than intoxicated drivers, but that is not quite the truth.
Truth or Myth? You should relax just before a crash to avoid injuries.
Answer: Myth. The more motion, the more injuries. Research actually shows that if you are braced and prepared for a crash, less motion occurs, so you’re less likely to be injured.
Truth: Intoxicated drivers and unprepared drivers are often injured worse than sober drivers because they are not prepared, and their tissues tear beyond the normal physiological limits. One of the biggest reasons why intoxicated drivers may not seem to be as injured is because the drugs or alcohol in their system mask their symptoms. They only find out later, after the drugs or alcohol have worn off, that they are seriously injured.
Fact or fiction? Some intoxicated drivers may get hurt less because the spine can handle flexion injuries better than it can handle extension injuries.
The intoxicated person is usually the one that does the hitting, which gives them flexion injuries. The dynamics of flexion injuries are handled better by the spine than extension injuries, such as whiplash. The dynamics of whiplash happen to a much greater extent for whoever is getting hit from behind. That person is usually injured more, as well, when they weren’t able to brace themselves for impact and don’t see it coming. In this scenario, an intoxicated driver would be less injured because they do see the accident coming and are able to prepare themselves more.
Another example of flexion vs. extension injuries can be found in football. A football player who is prepared for a hit is less likely to get hurt than a player who is hit from behind and didn’t prepare himself. It is always better to be prepared for impact to avoid injuries.
Factors Contributing to Increased Severity of Accidents
Here are some more reasons why intoxicated drivers cause more accidents and are often injured more than sober and aware drivers:
Impaired Reaction Time and Judgment
Alcohol and recreational drugs affect cognitive functions such as perception, attention, and decision-making. The brain’s ability to process information and react to stimuli is significantly slowed down by alcohol, as well. Impaired judgment leads to poor decision-making, like misjudging distances, underestimating risks, or failing to recognize potential hazards on the road.
Inability to Anticipate and Plan
Alcohol, recreational drugs, and even some prescription drugs impair the ability to anticipate and plan actions effectively while driving. Intoxicated drivers may fail to anticipate changes in traffic patterns, road conditions, or the behavior of other drivers, which can lead to collisions or near-misses. The combination of poor anticipation and impaired judgment puts intoxicated drivers at high risk on the road.
Reduced Coordination and Motor Skills
Alcohol and substances interfere with motor coordination, balance, and fine motor skills necessary for safe driving. Tasks such as steering, braking, and shifting gears require adequate coordination, which is compromised by the consumption of alcohol. Intoxicated drivers may struggle performing other basic driving maneuvers, such as parallel parking, merging, or navigating sharp turns. The inability to execute these maneuvers smoothly increases the risk of colliding with other vehicles, objects, or pedestrians.
Impaired Inhibitions
Alcohol and drug substance consumption reduces inhibitions and increases impulsivity, leading to riskier driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, or weaving in and out of traffic. This reduced concern for consequences and a false sense of invincibility contribute to a disregard for traffic laws and safety precautions.
Intoxicated drivers may also display aggressive behaviors such as road rage, excessive honking, or gestures towards other drivers. This alcohol-induced irritability and frustration escalates minor conflicts into dangerous confrontations on the road. It also can increase the likelihood of collisions and escalate the severity of accidents involving intoxicated drivers.
What Can Help Non-Intoxicated Drivers Avoid Injuries?
From the non-intoxicated driver’s perspective in an accident with an intoxicated driver, several factors influence the severity of the collision.
- Safety Features: Vehicle safety features such as airbags, anti lock brakes, and lane departure features can play a crucial role in an accident as they can mitigate the impact and reduce injuries. Even with advanced technologies, the severity of the accident can still be significant.
- Driver Experience: The non-intoxicated driver’s driving experience and skill level can affect their ability to anticipate and react to the intoxicated driver’s actions, which can potentially minimize the impact of the collision.
- Adherence to Traffic Laws: Following traffic laws and regulations by the non-intoxicated driver may contribute to accident severity, as their compliance with rules can influence the dynamics of the accident. For example, if the non-intoxicated driver comes to a complete stop and checks both ways before continuing, they can be protected from getting hit by an intoxicated driver who fails to stop before entering the crossing.
Common Auto Injuries
Some common auto injuries include the following:
- Fractures of the spine
- Head, neck, chest, and abdominal injuries
- Rib fractures
- Lower extremity trauma
- Whiplash
- Crushing or smashing of body parts
- Fractures of pelvis, neck, or clavicle
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In a crash, it is a ton of cure, and in some cases, unfortunately, the cost is life.
What is the best prevention? A designated driver. Use alcohol & drugs responsively.
We get it, everybody is entitled to some fun and relief of pain and symptoms. Nobody is perfect, so please, if you do partake, do so courteously and responsibly and use a designated driver.
Grant Chiropractic is Here to Help
If you have been injured in an accident, whether it is your fault or no fault of your own, Grant Chiropractic is here to help you recover. We know that being involved in a car accident can take time to get back to normal, both physically and emotionally. We will help you through the difficult process with compassion and trust. Dr. Grant will provide controlled and gentle adjustments to help alleviate pain and get your spine realigned as quickly as possible. Our goal is to get you back on your feet ASAP, so contact us today to get your appointment scheduled.
