Knowing Your Limit: A Guide for Knowing When It Isn’t Safe to Drive

Drinking and driving isn’t the only way to put yourself and others at risk for an accident or even death. Many different factors influence your ability to drive. Unsafe driving under any condition can put you at risk for an accident, tickets or legal issues like DUIs. This “know your limits” guide will help you to determine when you need to pass your keys off to someone else. If you do find yourself facing DUI or other charges make sure that you hire a good lawyer in Tampa so you get the defense you need.

As a driver you need to know when you can handle driving and when you can’t. It is easy to be confident and think that you are always ready for the road, but even the best drivers need to say no to driving in some situations. Here are a few times when you should use caution and carefully consider if you can safely drive:

• Sleepiness – Driving when tired is suspect in more than 5,500 traffic fatalities each year according to a 2009 article in USA Today . Driving when sleepy slows reaction time, impairs judgment and decreases awareness, much like drugs or alcohol will. Pull over and rest if you find yourself struggling to stay awake.
• Emotional Highs – Strong emotions can make it hard to focus attention on the road. If you are feeling angry, sad or depressed deal with your emotions before driving.
• Alcohol – Alcohol impairs judgment which makes it hard to determine if you can safely drive. If you are planning on drinking arrange for a designated driver or plan another way home. Small amounts of alcohol can compromise driving ability, even if you aren’t over the legal limit. Be especially careful when combining alcohol with drugs (illegal, prescription or over-the-counter).
• Prescription Drugs – Carefully read the label on all prescription medications before driving.
• Illegal Drugs – Any drug can change the way you think, act and react to situations. All controlled substances impair driving, even marijuana. If you have been using drugs stay off the road even if you think you can safely drive. Often you don’t realize how impaired you are until an unexpected situation arises.
• Over the Counter Medications – Buying something in a drug store doesn’t mean that it is safe to take when driving. Read medication packaging carefully and wait to drive until you know how your body will react.
• Any Time Your Skills Are Compromised – If your driving skills or abilities are compromised for any reason, don’t drive. You don’t have to be drunk to be guilty of a DUI. Prescription medications and illegal drugs can also lead to DUI convictions. If you aren’t at your best make the safe choice and get a ride.

 

We want you to be safe on the road every time you get behind the wheel. Our “know your limits” guide features some of our best tips for avoiding DUI arrests. The best way to avoid a DUI or DUI related accident is to prevent the problem before it ever arises. The next time you go out for a fun night out, think back on this guide and the principles it teaches before you grab those keys.

What do you do when you aren’t able to safely drive? How do you know when you shouldn’t drive?