A driver's primary responsibility is to safely operate the vehicle. Impaired driving occurs when a driver is distracted and his/her ability to perform the task of driving is reduced. Driving can be impaired by drug use, alcohol use, fatigue, and cell phone use, along with anything else that distracts the driver. This article discusses impaired driving because of drug and alcohol use. Road rage is also covered in the article.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Drug and alcohol use affects driving ability and increases the likelihood of an automobile accident. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws making it a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 32 percent of fatally injured motor vehicle drivers in 2002 had a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08 percent. The drugs that pose the greatest risk to safe driving are tranquilizers, sedatives, and marijuana. A percentage of fatally injured drivers had both drugs and alcohol in their systems. All states have "zero tolerance" laws prohibiting those younger than 21 from driving after drinking. Such laws generally prohibit driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater.

Administrative License Suspension or Revocation

A driver who is convicted for driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol generally has his/her license suspended or revoked under a procedure called an administrative license suspension. If a driver refuses to take a chemical test for impairment, his/her license is taken before conviction.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Aggressive driving is characterized by a combination of traffic offenses such as tailgating, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failure to signal lane changes, and rude or inconsiderate driving. Erratic driving is dangerous and increases the risk of accidents. New Jersey has a special number that drivers can call to report aggressive drivers. Road rage occurs when a traffic incident escalates to a more serious episode. A person becomes angry about a roadway incident that was generally trivial. The person retaliates with some form of violence--a physical confrontation, an assault with a vehicle, or even the use of a weapon. Road rage is a criminal offense.

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