Alcohol slows a driver’s reaction time. Since trucks require far more time to stop than cars, even a split-second delay in reaction time can lead to a serious accident. People who are under the influence of alcohol make far worse decisions. Alcohol causes people to lose inhibitions and act in far riskier ways. Motor control suffers, making it far more difficult for a driver to control such a large vehicle. Fully-loaded trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. They are difficult to control under the best circumstances by the most experienced drivers. Truckers who have been drinking will have more difficulty with: Keeping a truck in its lane Navigating turns Reading road signs Judging the distance between their truck and other vehicles Responding to any incidents on the road Needless to say, alcohol will interfere with a truck driver’s ability to do their job safely. While much of the conversation about impaired driving focuses on alcohol, truck drivers under the influence of drugs or prescription medications can also cause the same dangers. The increasing availability of marijuana has raised the risks of impaired driving.