What could indicate a driver is impaired other than alcohol use?

Fatigue or drug use can significantly impact a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Both factors can cause impairment similar to alcohol, affecting a person's coordination, reaction time, and cognitive functions. For instance, fatigue can lead to drowsiness, slower processing of information, and a reduced ability to make sound decisions, which are critical for safe driving. Similarly, the influence of drugs—whether prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or illegal substances—can alter psychomotor skills, judgment, and perception. This makes the driver more susceptible to accidents or erratic driving behavior, indicating impairment.

In contrast, listening to loud music, driving a rental car, or having a pet in the vehicle do not inherently signal that a driver is impaired. While loud music might be distracting, it doesn't directly impair driving ability in the same way that fatigue or drugs do. Similarly, the fact that a driver is operating a rental car does not indicate any impairment, as rental cars are simply vehicles that can be used by individuals regardless of their sobriety. Having a pet in the vehicle may present some distraction but does not meet the criteria for indicating impairment like fatigue or drugs do. Thus, the presence of fatigue or drug use stands out as a clear indicator of potential