Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue and Distracted Driving
This domain tests your understanding of impairment: how it degrades driving, how to recognise it in yourself, and what the law expects. It also covers distraction, which is now as significant a cause of crashes as alcohol.
Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol slows reaction time, narrows attention, impairs judgement of speed and distance, and reduces night vision. The effects begin before a driver feels drunk, and coffee, food, cold air or a short walk do not remove alcohol from the body - only time does. FRSC enforcement treats drinking and driving as a serious offence, and impairment is impairment regardless of how little was consumed. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including some cough syrups and antihistamines, can cause drowsiness; check the label and do not drive if warned. Illegal drugs and stimulants that mask tiredness are equally dangerous.
Fatigue
Warning signs include yawning, heavy eyelids, wandering thoughts, missing a junction and drifting across the lane. The remedy is to stop in a safe place and rest, or swap drivers - not to open a window or turn up the radio.
Distraction
Handheld phone use while driving is an offence. Eating, smoking, adjusting the radio, arguing with passengers and reaching for objects all take your eyes and mind off the road. Set navigation and music before moving off.
Worked example
A driver who has had two bottles of beer feels fine and believes he is under any limit. Reasoning: his reaction time and judgement are already reduced, and he cannot measure his own impairment. The safe and lawful decision is not to drive; he should hand over the keys or take a taxi.
Traps
Believing the radio or fresh air cures fatigue. Assuming a small amount of alcohol is safe. Taking a phone call 'just briefly' at traffic.