What does driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol affect?

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol affects your overall driving performance in several critical ways. Alcohol and drugs impair cognitive functions, decision-making processes, coordination, and reaction times, all of which are essential for safe driving. When a person's ability to focus, judge distances, or respond quickly to changing road conditions is compromised, their overall ability to operate a vehicle safely diminishes significantly.

This impairment is cumulative, affecting concentration and perceptual skills as well. For example, a driver may not only struggle with reacting to sudden obstacles but may also have difficulty processing information from the environment, such as understanding road signs or the actions of other drivers. Therefore, the impact goes beyond just one aspect of driving; it encompasses the entire performance level, meaning that a person under the influence is at a higher risk of being involved in an accident.

The other choices touch on specific aspects rather than the overarching issue of comprehensive driving capability. Focusing solely on reaction time, engine performance, or reading signs neglects the broader range of impacts that intoxication has on driving skills.