What is the effect of combining drugs and alcohol while driving?

Combining drugs and alcohol while driving has a synergistic effect, leading to worse impairment than either substance alone. This means that the combination can amplify the negative effects on a person's cognitive and motor functions, such as judgment, coordination, and reaction time. When both substances are present, drivers experience increased levels of impairment, making it more difficult to perform tasks essential for safe driving, such as maintaining attention to the road, obeying traffic signals, and reacting to unexpected changes in the driving environment.

The increased risk of accidents is significant, as the combined effects can lead to a distorted perception of speed, time, and distance. This understanding is crucial for emphasizing the dangers of substance use while driving, as it highlights how the mixture can endanger both the driver and others on the road.