Chapter II - The physical and mental condition of the driver

The physical and mental condition of the driver

The main factors that influence the physical and mental condition of the driver are:

• fatigue;
• alcohol;
• medicines;
• drugs.

Fatigue

Represents the weakening of work capacities, caused by prolonged physical or intellectual effort.

The effects of fatigue:

• reduces the capacity to anticipate and to analyse the situations in traffic;
• difficulties in concentration, inattention;
• the wrong assessment of speed and distances;
• the increase of reaction time;
• the delayed observation of signals and signs in traffic;
• falling asleep or dozing at the wheel, the cause of many serious road accidents.

From the point of view of the production of fatigue this can be:

• fatigue accumulated before setting off

• insufficient rest;
• the state of health;
• the effort, both physical and intellectual.
• fatigue accumulated during driving

• driving the motor vehicle for a long time. It is recommended that every 2 hours of driving a break of at least 15 minutes is taken;
• the large number of manoeuvres (stopping, starting, changing gears, U-turns etc);
• reduced visibility. Due to darkness or unfavourable weather conditions (fog, heavy rain, heavy snow);
• driving at high speeds. Due to the high travelling speed the visual field will decrease.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumed in any form reaches the blood and produces changes in the physical and mental condition.

Blood alcohol concentration represents the quantity of ethyl alcohol, expressed in grams, present in one litre of blood. For example a blood alcohol concentration of 1% means that in one litre of blood there is 1 gram of ethyl alcohol.

Blood alcohol concentration can be measured in the exhaled air or through blood samples.

The determination of the presence of alcohol in the exhaled air or the preliminary testing of the presence in the body of substances or narcotic products or of medicines with similar effects is carried out by the traffic police with the help of certified technical means.

The collection of biological samples is carried out in authorised medical institutions or in medico-legal institutions and is performed only in the presence of a representative of the traffic police.

In Romania, the Road Traffic Code provides for a limit of 0.8 g/l pure alcohol in the blood beyond which criminal liability arises.

To drive safely you need good vision, correct judgement and fast reaction times. Alcohol distorts all the 3 senses mentioned, therefore the ability to drive a motor vehicle safely is reduced regardless of the quantity of alcohol consumed.

Medicines

Medicines represent one of the causes that lead to the production of behavioural changes acting negatively on the physical and mental condition, thus reducing the ability to drive motor vehicles.

The main groups of medicines contraindicated to drivers are:

• tranquillisers: those medicines that produce drowsiness, reduce concentration capacity and reduce physical and mental performance;
• antidepressants: those medicines that sometimes produce states of irritability, reduce effort capacity and the state of concentration;
• sedatives: those medicines that produce drowsiness and reduce muscle coordination due to the weakness occurring in them;
• analgesics: those medicines that manifest themselves through psychomotor agitation or through states of euphoria.

Drugs

Drugs are substances of vegetal, animal or mineral origin that act by hastening, slowing down or modifying the processes of a certain organ.

The term drug has several meanings. In a broad sense it designates any substance (natural or artificial) which by its chemical nature determines the alteration of the functioning of an organ. In a narrow sense it refers to substances that cause tolerance and dependence.

In common language this term refers to psychoactive substances, especially illegal ones.

In other words, the drug is a solid, liquid or gaseous substance, whose use becomes a habit and which directly affects the brain and the nervous system, changes feelings, mood and thinking, perception and/or the state of consciousness, modifying the image of the surrounding reality.