March 13, 2026 | Car Accidents
In the United States, someone dies in an alcohol-related car crash approximately every 42 minutes. That equals more than 12,400 fatalities each year. Because of these risks, many people wonder whether it is safe to drive after just one or two drinks. The reality is that even a single drink can affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Alcohol affects the brain and body in ways that can reduce awareness, slow reaction time, and impair judgment. These changes may seem minor at first, but even small impairments can have serious consequences when you are behind the wheel.
How Alcohol Affects Vehicle Drivers
Alcohol has a big impact on your ability to drive a vehicle. The more you drink, the more your ability to drive is affected. However, research has shown that even one drink can have a measurable impact on your driving ability.
Some of the ways that alcohol affects drivers include:
- Impaired decision making
- Slowed or delayed response times
- Inability to keep the vehicle safely in one lane
- Drowsiness
- Impaired perception
Driving requires constant attention, quick reflexes, and accurate judgment. When alcohol interferes with these abilities, the risk of a crash increases significantly.
Factors That Affect Alcohol Impairment
Remember that alcohol also affects different people differently. One person may be more affected by a single drink than another. This is because the effect that alcohol has on you can vary by a person’s:
- Weight
- Gender
- Food consumption
- Genetics
- Alcohol tolerance level
Just one drink can affect your ability to multitask and track moving objects. This can have a noticeable impact on your driving skills. Two drinks can lead to slower reaction times, and this can be detrimental when you are operating a vehicle traveling at high speeds.
Three or four drinks typically put a person over the legal limit, and you may be unable to tell exactly how fast you are driving because your perception may be affected. More than four drinks can impair your coordination and slow your processing times. This can cause problems with steering, accelerating, or braking your vehicle.
Getting Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you have been hurt in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking is considered negligence. Drunk drivers who injure innocent victims need to be held accountable for their actions.
Not only can a drunk driver face criminal penalties, such as fines, jail time, and license suspension, but they can also face liability in civil court for any injuries they cause. Some common damages available in drunk driving accident claims include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future reduced earning capacity
- Funeral and burial expenses (in wrongful death cases)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Remember that you may be able to recover compensation even if the other driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was below the legal limit. Just because they were not convicted of a DUI does not prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve.
Avoiding Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable. Making responsible transportation choices before drinking can significantly reduce the risk of causing or being involved in a serious crash. If you plan to drink, taking a few simple precautions can help keep you and others on the road safe.
You should consider:
- Using a rideshare or taxi instead of driving after drinking.
- Choosing a designated sober driver when going out with friends.
- Planning your ride home in advance before you start drinking.
- Staying overnight nearby if safe transportation is not available.
Even one drink can affect judgment and reaction time. Choosing not to drive after drinking helps protect everyone on the road and can prevent serious injuries, legal consequences, and financial liability.
Contact KRLG Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in a drunk driving accident in Arizona, you may need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to get the compensation you are owed. Call the team at KRLG Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyer.
Let us investigate your accident and help you put an accurate value on your claim. We will handle every detail of your claim while you focus on your health recovery.
For more information, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Kurtz Riley Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Scottsdale, Phoenix, Maricopa County, & Arizona’s surrounding areas.
Kurtz Riley Injury Lawyers
7702 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Suite 150, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(623) 303-5754
