Alcohol effects — South Carolina Permit Test

Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic collisions in which someone is killed each year.

Impaired driving is behind a large share of road deaths, which is why the penalties are severe.

Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic collisions in which someone is killed each year.

If you are under 21, it is illegal to purchase, possess, or drink alcoholic beverages.

Young drivers are still learning complex skills, and alcohol hits that learning hardest.

If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal to purchase, possess, or drink alcoholic beverages.

For new drivers learning complex skills, the effects of alcohol and other impairing drugs are greater.

Skills that are not yet automatic are the first to break down when the brain is impaired.

For new drivers learning complex skills, the effects of alcohol and other impairing drugs is greater.

Vision is the most important sense you use in driving.

Almost every driving decision starts with what you see, so anything that dulls vision dulls the whole task.

The most important sense you use in driving is vision.

Vision is impacted at 0.02 percent blood alcohol content for all drivers.

Vision starts to suffer well below the levels people think of as drunk, which is why even one drink matters.

Vision is impacted at 0.02 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) for all drivers.

Alcohol reduces your ability to distinguish colors.

Traffic signals, signs and brake lights depend on color, so blurred color sense delays your response to them.

Color distinction: Alcohol reduces your ability to distinguish colors.

Alcohol slows your ability to process information and respond to the task of driving.

Slower reaction means more distance traveled before you brake or steer away from a hazard.

Reaction time: Alcohol slows your ability to process information and respond to the task of driving.

Impairment starts with the first drink; even one drink can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle.

There is no safe number of drinks before driving, so the best advice is not to drive at all after drinking.

Impairment starts with the first drink.

About what share of fatal traffic collisions each year involve alcohol or other impairing drugs?

About 40%. Impaired driving is behind a large share of road deaths, which is why the penalties are severe. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.37: “Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic collisions in which someone is killed each year.”