From drowsiness and distractions to poor road conditions, auto accidents happen for many reasons. Having said that, drunk drivers are a serious problem in Huntington, and the rest of West Virginia. Lost lives, serious injuries and financial hardships are just a few of the hardships that drunk driving wrecks cause. To make matters worse, these accidents are preventable but some people choose to drive after consuming too much alcohol, which has a detrimental effect on their ability to operate a motor vehicle.

According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, alcohol affects people in a variety of ways, which is very problematic when they decide to get behind the wheel and drive while intoxicated. For example, excessive drinking often results in artificial feelings of confidence, impaired vision, poorer judgment, a slower reaction time and difficulty concentrating. When drivers take to the road after drinking, these effects can significantly increase the likelihood of an accident.

California’s Administrative Office of the Courts also provides startling information on how alcohol affects an individual’s ability to drive. In fact, even little amounts of alcohol can impede driving ability and lead to a deadly situation. Drunk drivers have more difficulty judging speed and their distance from objects compared to when they are sober. Moreover, people who drive drunk may feel tired and struggle with multitasking.

Sadly, drivers across the nation continue to violate the law and operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. As a result, victims and the families of those who died in drunk driving wrecks should take advantage of every tool on their path to recovery.

Greene Ketchum CALL NOW