What does alcohol first affect in a person's ability to drive?

Alcohol primarily impacts a person's judgment and skills before any other effects. This means that an individual under the influence may struggle to make sound decisions, assess situations accurately, and react appropriately to various driving conditions. Impaired judgment can lead to risky behaviors, such as speeding or aggressive driving, and can diminish a person's ability to process information and execute necessary driving skills effectively.

While coordination, vision, and speed are important aspects that are also affected by alcohol consumption, the initial impact on judgment creates a foundation for other impairments to follow. Because decision-making is crucial for safe driving, the effects on judgment can lead to dangerous situations even before coordination and reaction times are significantly impaired.