Driver Conduct, Alcohol, Drugs and Fatigue
Driver conduct covers behaviour, attitude, and fitness to drive. Angola has a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving in practice: alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and coordination long before you feel "drunk." Even small amounts raise crash risk. The safest and lawful choice is not to drink at all if driving. The same applies to drugs - including some medicines that cause drowsiness. Always read medicine labels and ask a pharmacist.
Fatigue is a major killer. Warning signs: heavy eyelids, yawning, drifting, missing signs, difficulty focusing. The only real cure is rest - coffee and fresh air are temporary. Plan breaks on long journeys (roughly every two hours).
Conduct on the road: be courteous, avoid aggressive driving, do not tailgate, do not use a handheld phone, and do not react to provocation. Road rage endangers everyone.
Traps in questions:
- Believing coffee or loud music cures fatigue - they do not.
- Assuming "one drink" is safe - impairment begins below the legal limit.
- Forgetting that prescription medicines can count as impairing drugs.
Rule of thumb: "If in doubt, don't drive." If you feel sleepy, stop somewhere safe and rest; a 15–20 minute nap beats any stimulant.
Worked example: A driver feels drowsy on a long trip. Best answer: stop at a safe place and rest - not open the window or turn up the radio.