Your driving is affected by your physical and mental health. To obtain a driver license, you must be in good health. If you have health problems that are serious and long-term in nature, they will likely come to the attention of the DMV. More often, health problems are short term, like suffering from colds, headaches or flu. You should remember that any time you are not feeling well, your driving is likely to be different. You may be less alert and less responsive than normal.

Fatigue:

Careful planning can help to make sure you do not drive when you are too tired. A surprising number of serious crashes occur because a driver falls asleep at the wheel.

Medications:

Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can affect your driving. Before you take any medication, find out how it will affect you. Try to do as little driving as possible while taking any type of medication. If you must drive, be especially careful. You may not be as alert as usual.

Alcohol:

• About 38 percent of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol.
• Alcohol will first affect your judgement - you may think you can drive safely when you cannot.
• The amount of alcohol in a one-ounce shot of whiskey, threeÐounce glass of wine and 12-ounce bottle of beer is the same.
• Black coffee, fresh air and cold showers DO NOT help someone to become more sober - only time will help.

Young Drivers:

Why do young drivers have such high crash rates? On the whole, these drivers are very healthy. Their vision is good, and their reflexes are excellent. Yet, they are inexperienced drivers. Regardless of how old a beginning driver is, it takes years to become an experienced driver. During the time available, a driver education course can teach only the most basic skills. Most of the learning must take place on the highway.

Mature Drivers:

People age at different rates, and some people in their seventies are more alert than others in their thirties and forties. Nevertheless, as we become older we tend to lose some of our ability to react quickly to driving problems. Our vision, especially our night vision, might become worse. We might have difficulty hearing and become more likely to develop medical problems.

Whenever possible, If you are an older driver:

• drive on familiar roads and streets;
• drive short distances;
• change your driving habits to fit your abilities; and avoid heavy and fastÐmoving traffic.