Drunk Driving: Understanding Why This Behavior Most Often Occurs

Created by: Shivam midha

 

 

 

Most drivers know they’re not supposed to drive drunk. However, a surprising number still seem to do it. Some motorists think nothing of ingesting alcohol till they’re over the legal limit and then getting behind the wheel.

 

It’s a problem in virtually every state, but in some more than others. For example, in 2020, Nevada saw nearly 44K traffic accidents, and you can just imagine how many of those alcohol caused. Nevada features Las Vegas as one of its major cities, and many individuals who visit tend to drink and drive. 

 

In a more general sense, though, why do so many people drive drunk? It’s probably safe to say that there’s not one reason behind the behavior, but many. Let’s look at some of them now. 

 

If you know what causes these behaviors, you’ll know to watch out for them. You’ll know to avoid them from now on if you realize that you’re guilty of some of these tendencies.

 

 

Bar Drinkers Who Live Nearby

 

First, let’s look at the habitual bar drinker. If you go to a bar, and it’s a neighborhood watering hole, you might see some regulars time after time. If you go in there, it’s highly likely you will see some of the same people sitting on the same stools, ordering the same drinks each time.

 

These habitual bar drinkers might drive to the bar. They’ll have their cars parked in the parking lot or on the street nearby. 

 

If they live close by, like within a couple of miles, they may feel like they can get home safely after a drinking session, even if they’re clearly over the legal limit. They think that because they know the area, and they’ve made the drive so many times, that they’re fine to get behind the wheel.

 

That’s dangerous thinking. Even if such motorists drive slowly and carefully after a drinking session, they’re still impaired. They can absolutely cause an accident, even if they’ve gotten lucky up till now.

 

 

Individuals Who Don’t Realize They’re Over the Legal Limit

 

You might also see a situation sometimes where you will have an individual who consumed alcohol, but they don’t realize that they’re over the legal limit. If that happens, then maybe it’s because they had a single drink, but it’s something stronger than beer.

 

Most people who consume one beer won’t fail a breathalyzer if they have to take one. If they drink two beers or more, then they’re probably over the legal limit.

 

If you have a person who’s not very large, though, then it makes sense that alcohol will impact them more. Maybe you have someone who’s five feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. If they have a single strong mixed drink, like a Long Island Iced Tea, that will more than likely put them over the legal limit.

 

If they decide to drive, even after just one drink, that’s unsafe. That’s even more the case if they don’t have a very high alcohol tolerance.  

 

 

Individuals in a Distraught State

 

 

You may also have someone who decided to drive, and they’re in a distraught state of mind. Maybe they just broke up with the partner or their spouse told them that they want a divorce. Perhaps a relative just died, and they’re mourning that loss.

 

In such a situation, a person might feel despondent. They may think that nothing matters. In this kind of mental state, it makes sense they will act in ways that they normally would not.

 

They might decide to drink and drive because they’re not their usual self. In these scenarios, it’s lucky if they don’t cause an accident or have a cop pull them over for erratic driving and give them a breathalyzer test.     

 

Anyone Trying to Show Off

 

 

You may also see someone drive when they’re over the legal limit if they’re trying to show off. When this happens, it’s almost always a younger driver.

 

Someone who just got their license might have some friends with them. Maybe they can’t even drink legally yet, but the group manages to get some alcohol.

 

The young motorist might get in the car and drive if their friends push them to do it. If so, then you’re looking at a peer pressure situation.

 

Resisting peer pressure might strike some individuals as difficult at any age. If you’re young and impressionable, though, and your friends egg you on, then saying no becomes very challenging. These situations often cause accidents, and sometimes injuries or fatalities. 

 

 

Thrill Seekers

 

You may have people who don’t mind driving when they’re drunk because they seek thrills. These same individuals might try mountain climbing, base jumping, and similar activities.

 

They know that they’re over the legal limit, but they don’t care. They’re essentially daring the police to catch them. 

 

If you run into this kind of person on the road, you’d better watch out. It’s possible they will do things like change lanes without signaling or exceed the speed limit as well as drive drunk. They don’t feel like the authorities can do anything to stop them until proven otherwise.

 

 

Those Who Think They’re Invincible

 

You might also encounter a final group of people who may drive drunk periodically. That’s the group that thinks they have invincible status.

 

Such a person might drive for multiple decades and never cause an accident. If you’re this kind of individual, then maybe you think you’re an excellent driver. You can drink and then still follow all the traffic laws, and no authorities will ever know the difference.

 

Much like bar drinkers who drive home drunk through their neighborhood, such a motorist might get away with the behavior many times. That doesn’t mean it’s safe, though. They can cause an accident at any time, and then they’ll quickly realize they never actually had invincibility at all.

Now that you know about these behaviors, try to avoid them. Doing so keeps you safe, and other drivers as well.