Do Smooth Waters Run Deep? Alcohol Intoxication and the Effects of Water Consumption on Driving-Related Cognitions and Behavior

Abstract

The present study tested the effect of the combined use of alcohol and water on driving-related cognitions and behavior. Seventy-four female students performed a driving simulator task after having consumed alcohol or a placebo. Additionally, half of the participants consumed 0.5 liter of water. It was hypothesized that combining alcohol and water could lead to an underestimated perceived intoxication level resulting in more favorable driving cognitions and increased risk behavior. Our findings showed that the combined use of water and alcohol did not affect cognitions or behavior. Surprisingly, in the placebo condition, water intake increased risky driving cognitions and behavior in women with a history of accident involvement. Lacking a clear counterproductive effect when combined with alcohol, water could be a useful tool in limiting alcohol use among female drinkers.

Alcohol consumption for simulated driving performance: A systematic review

“…A significantly higher mean speed was reported in alcoholic groups in comparison with control groups 5, 10. But no significant difference was reported in the studies by Spaanjaars et al 16 and Fillmore et al 18 …”

“…Also in the studies by Rakauskas et al 8 and Marczinski et al, 12 we found no mean and standard deviation (SD) values for LPSD. However, based on these studies in Table 3, SD values of lane position was significantly higher in alcoholic groups in comparison with non-alcoholic groups, except in the studies by Rakauskas et al, 8 Fillmore et al 18 and Spaanjaars et al 16 …”

“…Greater within-lane deviation can be considered as an indicator for poorer driving precision. Eight studies evaluated LPSD 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17. Because of many differences among these studies including existence of co-intervention, different alcohol dosages, different methods for alcohol measurement and different speed limitations, we could not conduct a meta-analysis here.…”

“…The average overall speed was evaluated in four studies 5, 10, 18, 16. In Simons et al’ s study, methods for alcohol measurement were different and data were incomplete 10 .…”

“…It was evaluated in different forms including average overall speed, speed deviation (mean and SD) time at maximum speed, and mean highest speed. Most studies in our project reported that alcohol could lead to risky driving by its effect on speed in all mentioned forms 1, 2, 5, 9, 16, 17, 19. Lane position like speed was evaluated in different definitions including mean and SD of lane position deviation affected by alcohol 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17…”