Is knocking back a few really that much fun?

We often mistakenly believe that only heavy drinkers cause alcohol-related car accidents. But even light drinking can affect your brain. Here are a few of the effects you may feel after just two drinks:

• Drowsiness, making your reactions slower.
• Driving too fast without realizing it.
• Slowed information processing, affecting your braking and driving reflexes.
• Relaxed eye muscles, resulting in altered vision. You don't react as well to the glare of headlights, and you have a harder time following vehicles.

Driving a vehicle uses nearly all your basic abilities: perception, attention, judgment, decision making, and physical reaction, as well as your ability to coordinate them. Alcohol alters these abilities, making it harder for you to drive safely.

Young people: at-risk drivers

Although the numbers have fallen considerably over the last two decades, motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death among young people.

In about 40% of fatalities, the young driver had been drinking. The highest mortality rate is among 19 year old drivers. Most are young men (more than 85%).

You don't need to be a stats genius to see that drinking and driving gets you nowhere. So why set out to defy the odds?

The tips given here are provided for information purposes only. They do not change the fact that individuals are responsible for their actions and must show caution at all times. Desjardins General Insurance cannot be held liable for anything that may happen as a result of following these tips or information found on suggested external Websites.