What is the first thing alcohol affects in a driver?

Alcohol primarily affects judgment before any other faculties when a person is driving. This impairment can lead to poor decision-making, such as underestimating a driver's abilities, overconfidence, and the inability to assess situations accurately. When judgment is compromised, a driver may not recognize dangerous situations or respond appropriately to traffic signals or the behavior of other drivers.

Although coordination, vision, and reaction time are all significantly impacted by alcohol consumption, they tend to degrade after judgment is already affected. This means that a driver may initially struggle to make sound decisions, which can lead to risky behaviors on the road. Understanding that judgment is the first area of function impaired by alcohol is crucial for recognizing the risks associated with drinking and driving.