Citation

Barry H. J. Saf. Res. 1973; 5(3): 200-221.

Affiliation

University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, USA

Copyright

(Copyright © 1973, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The contrasting depressant and disinhibitory effects of alcohol, both can cause highway accidents. The depressant effect involves the motivational components of sedation and self-destructive and the cognitive inattention or fatigue; typical consequences are driving off the road or into an obstacle during a routine driving and insufficient response to an emergency. The disinhibitory effect involves the motivational components of decreased fear and increased assertiveness and the cognitive components of impairment of self-criticism and dissociation from sober habits. These give rise to risk-taking or disorganization; typical consequences are speeding or risky maneuvers during routine driving and loss of control in an emergency. Although each motivational and cognitive component can be isolated conceptually and to some degree and laboratory research, several components are involved together in most highway accidents.


Keywords: Driver distraction;