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The Effect of Beer on Driving Capability

National Beer Day accident attorney las vegas

National Beer Day is celebrated every year on April 7. The date stems from the Cullen–Harrison Act, which was signed into law by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on March 21, 1933, but went into effect on April 7. The law effectively reversed the Volstead Act (National Prohibition Act) and allowed Americans to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages once again.

With so many fantastic tap rooms in Las Vegas, there is no doubt locals and visitors will drink copious amounts of beer on National Beer Day. Unfortunately, too much beer can lead to problems when revelers get behind the wheel. If you are involved in a car accident due to a drunk or buzzed driver, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys can help. Our staff will review the facts of your case and push for justice.

Why Alcohol and Driving Is So Dangerous

National Beer Day is certainly cause for celebration. There is nothing wrong with enjoying beers. The trouble is too many Las Vegans and tourists are willing to get behind the wheel after downing multiple IPAs, stouts, lagers, porters, etc.. Even consuming a small amount of alcohol has the potential to cause a large accident. Those who consume a significant amount of alcohol in a brief window of time are particularly vulnerable to side effects.

It takes between half an hour and two hours for a person’s bloodstream to absorb alcohol. The body changes during this time due to the alcohol. Alcohol consumption hinders cognitive skills and slows breathing. 

If a driver cannot fully concentrate on the road and surrounding traffic due to alcohol, he or she won’t react quickly and may not make solid judgments.

It takes between half an hour and two hours for a person’s bloodstream to absorb alcohol. The body changes during this time due to the alcohol. Alcohol consumption hinders cognitive skills and slows breathing. 

If a driver cannot fully concentrate on the road and surrounding traffic due to alcohol, he or she won’t react quickly and may not make solid judgments.

Alcohol also slows reaction time and increases the odds of an accident. If the vehicle ahead of you brakes or if someone crosses ahead of you after you have consumed alcohol, your brain will move slower in processing this information, which may ultimately prevent you from avoiding an accident.

Additionally, consuming alcohol affects coordination. Drinking alcohol makes it difficult to move the hands and feet in a controlled and precise manner. You need these coordination skills to drive safely.

Alcohol’s Impact on the Eyes and Brain

If you consume alcohol, pay close attention to your vision and you might notice it becomes slightly blurred. In fact, alcohol even makes it difficult to control eye movement. Impaired vision is clearly a problem for those attempting to drive. 

Faulty vision makes it difficult to judge the space between vehicles and other objects on the road. Compromised vision also makes it challenging to spot vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects approaching from the sides.

Alcohol also directly impacts the brain. The brain controls how a driver reacts to challenges on the road. An inebriated driver lacks the judgment skills necessary to make sound decisions on-the-fly. 

If judgment is impaired by alcohol, the driver will pose a threat to everyone else on the road. The bottom line is operating a vehicle requires the driver’s full attention as all sorts of threats loom from drifting vehicles, hazards in the road, inclement weather and so on. A drunk driver will not be able to fully concentrate on the task at hand and ultimately prove dangerous to everyone else on the road.

Injured on the Road? The Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas can Help

Venturing out onto the roads is inherently risky, especially in a 24-hour city like Las Vegas. If you are harmed in any way, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is here to help make you as whole as possible again. Reach out to us to schedule a free consultation. You can contact us by dialing 844-977-1900. Our hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5: 00 p.m. We will also take your call 24/7. In addition, you can contact us through our website’s LiveChat feature. Consultations are free and you will pay no fee unless we win your case.

The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.