What can cause impaired driving?

Impaired driving can occur due to various substances that affect an individual's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Alcohol is widely recognized as a major contributor to impaired driving because it slows down the central nervous system, affecting judgment, coordination, and reaction times.

Taking illegal drugs can also lead to impairment, as these substances can have unpredictable and severe effects on a person's physical and mental state. Depending on the type of drug, users may experience diminished coordination, slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and other cognitive deficits that can severely impair their ability to drive safely.

Prescribed drugs can be misleading; even medications that are legally dispensed can have side effects that affect driving ability. Some medications may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or other impairments, particularly if taken in combination with other substances or if dosage instructions are not followed properly.

Given that all three categories—alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescribed medications—can lead to impaired driving under certain conditions, the correct choice includes all of these factors. This highlights the crucial message that any substance that affects cognitive and motor skills should be treated with caution when considering driving.