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Rapid drinking is associated with increases in driving-related risk-taking
Kimberly A Bernosky-Smith1, Elizabeth R Aston, Anthony Liguori
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Human Psychopharmacology
|October 3, 2012
Summary
Rapid alcohol consumption, even over a short period, is linked to riskier simulated driving and overconfidence. This speed of drinking impacts driving ability despite a delay before driving begins.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Traffic Safety
Background:
- Alcohol consumption rate is a known predictor of cognitive and behavioral task impairment.
- Previous research indicates a correlation between alcohol intake and driving performance, but the impact of drinking speed is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the speed of alcohol consumption during a laboratory binge affects self-reported driving attitudes and simulated driving performance.
- To determine if rapid alcohol consumption influences risky driving behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Forty moderate drinkers (20 female, 20 male) consumed four standard alcohol drinks at their own pace within a 2-hour session.
- Participants' simulated driving ability and self-reported confidence were assessed post-consumption.
Main Results:
- Faster alcohol consumption was significantly correlated with increased mean simulated driving speed.
- Rapid drinking was also associated with more time spent exceeding the speed limit, a higher number of collisions, and greater self-reported driving confidence.
Conclusions:
- The speed of alcohol consumption, particularly rapid intake, is linked to impaired simulated driving performance and riskier driving behaviors.
- While a latency period exists between drinking and driving, rapid alcohol consumption does not mitigate impairment and may increase risky driving tendencies.
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