Alcohol affects the reaction time of drivers by slowing the reaction time down.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It speeds up
• D. It has no effect

Answer: (A)

Alcohol slows reaction time because it depresses the central nervous system, slowing how quickly the brain processes hazards and how fast the body can respond. In driving, reaction time is the period from noticing a hazard to starting a response like braking or steering. With alcohol in the system, perception, decision making, and motor coordination are all impaired, so it takes longer to recognize a danger and to react. This leads to a longer stopping distance and a higher risk of a crash, even at lower levels of intoxication. So the statement is true. Saying it speeds things up or that there’s no effect contradicts the known impairment caused by alcohol.