What is More Dangerous? Driving Distracted or Driving Drunk?

Driving while distracted or under the influence of alcohol are both serious issues on the road.

Driving distracted, whether by texting, using a phone, or other activities, takes your focus away from the road. When you’re not paying full attention, you can’t react as quickly to changes in traffic or road conditions.

On the other hand, alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and reduces coordination. Both behaviors pose serious risks and contribute to accidents that could have life-altering effects.

This raises an important question: Is driving distracted more dangerous than driving drunk, or vice versa?

At Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating consequences these behaviors can have. Our team is committed to helping those affected by these types of accidents and ensuring justice for our clients.

Comparing the Dangers of Distracted Driving vs Driving Drunk

Studies show that both drunk driving and distracted driving result in high accident rates. However, comparing them can be challenging, as they each involve different types and levels of impairment.

Drunk driving often leads to more fatal accidents per incident. The impairment caused by alcohol can result in more severe accidents due to the level of control lost over the vehicle.

That said, while drunk driving may result in more severe accidents, distracted driving is more prevalent, with distracted driving happening more frequently and with risk factors going unnoticed until it’s too late.

The persistent and widespread nature of distractions—especially due to smartphones—makes it an ongoing threat on the road.

Understanding Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road. When a driver is impaired by alcohol, their ability to make sound decisions, react quickly, and control their vehicle is severely compromised.

Alcohol affects various functions in the brain that are essential for safe driving, leading to a significant increase in the risk of accidents.

Impaired Judgment and Coordination

Alcohol has a direct impact on a driver’s cognitive and motor functions. When a person consumes alcohol, it depresses the central nervous system, which slows down brain activity.

This leads to impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and a lack of coordination.

• Judgment: Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs a driver’s ability to evaluate risk properly. Drivers under the influence may engage in reckless behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, or running red lights, without considering the potential consequences.
• Reaction Time: Alcohol affects the brain’s ability to process information, making it harder for drivers to respond to sudden changes in traffic conditions, like an unexpected stop or a pedestrian crossing the road. This delayed reaction can be the difference between avoiding an accident and causing one.
• Coordination: Alcohol impairs the motor skills needed to steer, brake, and accelerate properly. This can cause a driver to over-correct or under-correct when steering, increasing the likelihood of losing control of the vehicle.

The combination of these impairments makes drunk drivers highly dangerous, as they are less capable of handling even routine driving situations safely.

Increased Accident Severity

Drivers who are under the influence are more likely to be involved in severe accidents, including rollovers and fatal collisions. Their inability to control the vehicle can result in significant injuries to both themselves and others.

Legal Consequences

Drunk driving can lead to DUI charges, heavy fines, license suspension or revocation, and even jail time. Beyond the immediate legal consequences, DUI convictions can have long-term impacts on employment, insurance, and personal reputation.

Understanding Distracted Driving

Distractions while driving are often just as deadly as driving under the influence. There are three main types of distractions:

Types of Distractions

There are three main categories of distractions that can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle:

• Manual Distractions: These occur when a driver takes their hands off the wheel to do something else. Texting while driving is a major example of a manual distraction, but eating, drinking, adjusting the GPS, or changing the radio station can also take a driver’s hands away from the wheel.
• Visual Distractions: These happen when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Looking at passengers, checking a phone screen, or admiring a billboard or scenery can all result in visual distractions.
• Cognitive Distractions: Cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s mind is no longer focused on the act of driving. This can happen during deep conversations with passengers, thinking about personal issues, or daydreaming.

Distracted Driving and Attention Span

Distractions reduce a driver’s ability to remain alert and aware of their surroundings. Driving requires constant attention to multiple factors: speed, road conditions, other vehicles, and traffic signals.

When a driver’s attention is diverted, even for just a second, it dramatically increases the risk of an accident. A few seconds is all it takes for a dangerous situation to arise. For example, a distracted driver might not notice that traffic in front of them has stopped, leading to a rear-end collision.

Similarly, distracted drivers may not notice a pedestrian or cyclist until it is too late to react.

Studies show that taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds while traveling at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. The longer a driver’s attention is off the road, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

Increased Accident Risk

Distracted driving leads to rear-end collisions, lane departures, and accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. Distractions also increase the likelihood of causing severe injuries and fatalities.

The effects of these distractions are not limited to just one type of crash. Certain types of accidents are more likely to occur as a result of distracted driving than others.

• Rear-End Collisions: when a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle.
• Lane Departures: when a vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its designated lane.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents: collisions between vehicles and individuals walking or cycling.
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents: crashes involving three or more vehicles.
• Hydroplaning: when a vehicle loses traction on a wet surface and slides uncontrollably.

Additional Considerations Surrounding Drunk and Distracted Driving

Technology Risk Factors

The rise of smartphones and in-car technology has greatly increased the dangers of distracted driving. As technology advances, drivers are now more connected than ever, often receiving constant notifications, messages, and alerts while on the road.

These technological distractions are not only a major source of driver impairment but also a growing risk factor for accidents.

Teen Driving

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to distractions while driving, and they are at a higher risk of being involved in accidents due to a combination of inexperience and reckless behavior. Studies show that teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky activities such as texting while driving, talking to friends in the car, or using apps, all of which increase the likelihood of accidents.

Parents, educators, and lawmakers must continue to emphasize the dangers of distracted driving and work together to reduce teen involvement in these accidents. Teen drivers need to be taught about the importance of focus, the consequences of distracted driving, and how to resist temptations while behind the wheel.

Compensation for Victims of Drunk or Distracted Driving Accidents

Victims of accidents caused by drunk or distracted driving may be entitled to compensation for the damages they’ve suffered. These types of accidents often result in significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens, and the responsible party can be held accountable under the law.

• Medical Expenses: Victims can seek compensation for medical costs, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. These expenses can quickly add up, especially in cases involving severe injuries.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If an accident causes a victim to miss work or impacts their ability to earn a living in the future, they may be eligible for compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity. This helps victims recover financially while focusing on healing.
• Pain and Suffering: In addition to physical injuries, victims often endure emotional trauma and decreased quality of life. Compensation may be available for pain and suffering, which covers the non-economic impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and physical discomfort.
• Property Damage: Accidents frequently result in significant damage to vehicles or other personal property. Victims can recover the costs of repairs or replacement through compensation.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, such as driving under the influence or engaging in blatant distractions like texting, victims may be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.

Legal Assistance for Victims

Navigating the legal process to secure compensation can be complex and overwhelming, especially while recovering from an accident.

At Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced Salt Lake City car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims fight for the justice and financial relief they deserve.

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk or distracted driver, contact us at (801) 810-9999 for a free consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to receive.