ICBC British Columbia Written Exam Practice Test 2025

What is a major effect of alcohol on driving ability?

1. Improved coordination

2. Increased judgment

3. Impaired reaction times

4. Heightened alertness

The correct answer is: Impaired reaction times

Alcohol consumption significantly impairs reaction times, which is a critical factor for safe driving. When a person consumes alcohol, it affects the central nervous system and the brain, leading to slower neural responses. This delay can be the difference between reacting appropriately to sudden changes in traffic, such as a pedestrian stepping out onto the road or another vehicle making an unexpected maneuver. Impaired reaction times mean that a driver may not respond quickly enough to hazards, which increases the likelihood of accidents. The impact of alcohol on motor skills and cognitive functions can hinder a driver’s ability to assess situations in real-time, thus making driving under the influence particularly dangerous. Other aspects of alcohol's effects can include decreased coordination and poor judgment, which are also detrimental to driving, but the specific impairment of reaction times is a prominent and measurable risk that highlights why driving after consuming alcohol is extremely unsafe.