Besides alcohol, what can impair a person's ability to drive safely?

Fatigue and medication significantly impair a person’s ability to drive safely due to their effects on cognitive function and reaction times. Fatigue reduces alertness and increases the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel, which can lead to dangerous driving situations just as alcohol impairs coordination and judgment. Certain medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can also have side effects that affect driving ability, such as drowsiness, decreased attention, or slowed reaction times. It’s crucial for drivers to be aware not only of how they feel at the moment but also of any medications they are taking that could negatively impact their driving capabilities.

While excessive speed can certainly lead to dangerous situations, it does not impair a person's inherent abilities in the same way that fatigue or certain medications can. Too much caffeine can increase alertness temporarily but may lead to jitteriness or anxiety in larger amounts, which still does not compare to the more severe impairments caused by fatigue and some medications. Loud music can be distracting, but it typically does not impair fundamental driving capabilities like the other factors mentioned. Thus, the impact of fatigue and medication on driving safety cannot be overstated.