Alcohol has been enjoyed for thousands of years, not only for its sanitation, but also for its taste. However, only in the past couple centuries have people had to worry about the combination of drinking and driving--and they do not mix well. Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that a person is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. Alcohol tricks the brain, making you think that you are capable of driving when you may have lost the essential skills necessary to safely operate your vehicle.

When you consume an alcoholic drink, it passes through your digestive system like any other food or beverage. The stomach and upper intestines break down the beverage and absorb the alcohol. From here, the chemical enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. The blood carries the alcohol to the brain, where alcohol can have some interesting effects.

First, it is important to realize that the body uses two main types of neurotransmitters to function: excitatory and inhibitory signals. In the brain, alcohol works as an inhibitory signal. It helps to enhance the effects of GABA, one of the primary inhibitors in the brain. As an inhibitory signal, GABA works to slow down the functioning of the body. This is what leads to stumbling and slurring.

Additionally, the stronger effects of GABA also slow down key functioning of the brain that normally helps with your driving. In the cerebral cortex, alcohol leads to feelings of recklessness as well as a slowdown of information processing and the thinking process. This may increase the risks that you take while driving drunk while at the same time making it difficult to understand what is happening around you.

In the cerebellum, alcohol can disrupt your balance and coordination. Without coordination, it can be very difficult to perform the fast-action skills necessary to drive a car. For instance, you may not be able to stop your vehicle fast enough to avoid a wreck.

When intoxicated individuals choose to drink and drive, they lose the important skills that they need to be safe drivers. If someone has made the tragic decision to drink and drive, hurting you or someone you love, you should fight back against this terrible carelessness.