Chapter 10: Physical Condition of the Driver

1. Definitions and vehicle Types 2. Use of Public Roads 3. Speed 4. Maneuvers 5. Right of Way 6. Transport of People and Goods 7. Lighting and Optical Signals 8. Traffic Signals 9. Driver's licence 10. Physical Condition of the Driver 11. Other Users 12. Visibility and Road Hazards 13. Traction, Tires and Brakes 14. Safety and Economical Driving 15. Driver assistance systems (ADAS) 16. Accidents and First Aid 17. Automobile Maintenance

Content index

1. Alcohol and drugs
2. Medicines, allergies and state of the driver

To obtain a driving licence, it will be necessary to pass certain medical tests.

People with disabilities may obtain a special permit with limitations.

Mood affects driving.

Distractions, speed, fatigue and alcohol adversely affect driving.

Under normal conditions, reaction time is between 0.5 and 1 second.

FATIGUE	DROWSINESS	DISTRACTIONS	VISION-HEARING
Causes: Monotonous roads, traffic jams, bad lighting, alcohol, driving inexperience, speed, heat, uncomfortable seats, night driving. Effects: + Reaction time. + Errors and risks. + Nerves and aggressiveness. Changes in posture. Blurry vision. Abrupt reactions. Less Reaction capacity. Less accuracy and concentration. Advice: Rest every two hours or 200km for 30 minutes. Ventilate the vehicle, keep a temperature of about 20 to 23 degrees C.	Causes: Early morning or early afternoon, poor sleep, heavy meals, monotony, bad road conditions, alcohol, drugs, some medication, or rebound drowsiness after stimulants. Effects: + Reaction time + Errors and risks + Nerves and aggressiveness Changes in posture. Abrupt reactions. Blurry vision. Less reaction capacity Less accuracy and concentration.	Causes: Fatigue, drowsiness, alcohol, drugs, stress, depression, mobile/cell phone, GPS, smoking, complex traffic, monotonous roads, traffic jams, bad lighting. Distraction can affect drivers of any age. Monotonous roads, including motorways and dual carriageways, can reduce alertness.	Vision: Night vision is worse. Glare, tunnel vision. Use corrective lenses whenever the licence requires them. It is not mandatory to carry spare glasses. Hearing: Avoid loud music. Hearing impairment may require adaptations or licence restrictions after medical assessment. Headphones/earphones while driving are prohibited; certified or approved helmet communication/navigation devices are permitted for motorcycles and mopeds if safe.

FATIGUE

DROWSINESS

DISTRACTIONS

VISION-HEARING

Causes:
Monotonous roads, traffic jams, bad lighting, alcohol, driving inexperience, speed, heat, uncomfortable seats, night driving.

Effects:
+ Reaction time.
+ Errors and risks.
+ Nerves and aggressiveness.
Changes in posture. Blurry vision. Abrupt reactions.
Less Reaction capacity.
Less accuracy and concentration.

Advice:
Rest every two hours or 200km for 30 minutes.
Ventilate the vehicle, keep a temperature of about 20 to 23 degrees C.

Causes:
Early morning or early afternoon, poor sleep, heavy meals, monotony, bad road conditions, alcohol, drugs, some medication, or rebound drowsiness after stimulants.

Effects:
+ Reaction time
+ Errors and risks
+ Nerves and aggressiveness
Changes in posture. Abrupt reactions. Blurry vision.
Less reaction capacity
Less accuracy and concentration.

Causes:
Fatigue, drowsiness, alcohol, drugs, stress, depression, mobile/cell phone, GPS, smoking, complex traffic, monotonous roads, traffic jams, bad lighting.
Distraction can affect drivers of any age.
Monotonous roads, including motorways and dual carriageways, can reduce alertness.

Vision:
Night vision is worse.
Glare, tunnel vision.
Use corrective lenses whenever the licence requires them. It is not mandatory to carry spare glasses.

Hearing:
Avoid loud music. Hearing impairment may require adaptations or licence restrictions after medical assessment. Headphones/earphones while driving are prohibited; certified or approved helmet communication/navigation devices are permitted for motorcycles and mopeds if safe.

SMOKING	MOBILE/CELL PHONE	GPS
Not forbidden but: +Distractions +Risks Advice:No smoking while driving.	A major source of driving risk because of: +Distractions +Risks +Infractions +Reaction time Advice: Do not use the phone, even if the conversation lasts less than a minute. Holding a mobile phone in the hand while driving carries a 6-point deduction. The sound of the phone may surprise the driver.	Place where it will not obstruct your vision, away from the airbag. Do not operate it manually while driving. Speed-limit information is advisory; obey the road signs. Program it before starting to drive.

SMOKING

MOBILE/CELL PHONE

GPS

Not forbidden but:

+Distractions
+Risks

Advice:No smoking while driving.

A major source of driving risk because of:

+Distractions
+Risks
+Infractions
+Reaction time

Advice: Do not use the phone, even if the conversation lasts less than a minute. Holding a mobile phone in the hand while driving carries a 6-point deduction.

The sound of the phone may surprise the driver.

Place where it will not obstruct your vision, away from the airbag.
Do not operate it manually while driving.
Speed-limit information is advisory; obey the road signs. Program it before starting to drive.

1. Alcohol and drugs

	BLOOD	AIR
General limit	0.50 gr/l	0.25 mg/l
Novice (first 2 years) and specified professional drivers	0.30gr/l	0.15 mg/l
Drivers under 18, including cyclists and VMP riders	0.0 g/l	0.0 mg/l

Even small amounts have negative effects.

The safest level is 0.0g/L

The maximum level is usually reached 30 to 90 minutes after drinking, but timing varies.

Alcohol elimination is slow and varies between people. Coffee, exercise or sleep do not rapidly remove it, and alcohol may remain the following morning.

It produces effects including increased reaction time, decreased attention and ability to drive, increased fatigue and drowsiness, reduced visual field (tunnel vision) and incorrect assessment of distances and speeds.

Driving a motor vehicle or moped under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be punished with imprisonment. Above 0.60 mg/l in breath or 1.2 g/l in blood, this is a criminal offence even without separate proof of impairment. Driving with drugs present in the body is prohibited, except medically prescribed therapeutic substances used as directed when fit to drive.

Fermented beverages (wine) are absorbed more slowly than distilled beverages (rum).

Effects are greater in those under 18 and over 65.

The danger multiplies if mixed with drugs.

Injuries in case of accident have a more serious prognosis.

You will be forced to do breathalyzer tests:

If you are a pedestrian involved in a traffic accident or who has committed a traffic offence
If you are driving:
- When involved in a traffic accident
- At drinking control stops
- Upon committing any offense
- If an officer notes signs of intoxication

After a positive breath test, or if signs of impairment remain, a second breath test is required, with at least 10 minutes between tests. A medical confirmation test may be requested; if positive, its cost is paid by the person tested, and if negative by the administration.

The vehicle may be immobilized when:

You refuse to take the test
You test positive
When the officer thinks you may be dangerous, even if you test negative

You will be required to submit to drug testing if requested by officers.

CANNABIS: + Reaction time - Concentration. Drowsiness and poor perception of surroundings.

COCAINE: + Aggressiveness. - Fatigue. Overestimation of abilities. Poor perception of surroundings.

AMPHETAMINES: + Aggressiveness. Overestimation of abilities. Psychomotor alterations.

ECSTASY: Optical illusions and blurred vision. More sensitivity to glare. Depression and exhaustion.

LSD: Distortion of reality. + Aggressiveness. Effects last 10-12 hours.

2. Medicines, allergies and state of the driver

Medicines

1.- See the package leaflet or consult your doctor. Do not self-medicate.

2.- The driving pictogram warns you to read the leaflet; it is not an automatic driving ban. Follow medical advice.

3.- Those with chronic illness should recognize the symptoms of an episode.

4.- Some cold and flu medications cause drowsiness; check the leaflet and ask a doctor or pharmacist.

5.- The effects of medication consumption depend on the individual and their physical conditions.

Tobacco and caffeine can affect the body and alertness. Caffeine does not replace sleep or make an impaired driver safe to drive.

Illnesses

Illnesses affecting attention, vision, movement or consciousness may impair driving. Medical assessment determines fitness and any necessary licence restrictions.

Allergies

They are medicated with antihistamines. Some cause drowsiness, which alcohol or other medicines may worsen. It’s recommended to:

Drive with the windows closed
Use gentle air conditioning
Keep vents and the interior clean
Do not mix alcohol with medications
Avoid self-medication
Try not to make long journeys
Wear sunglasses, aiming to protect the eyes
Avoid driving at dawn and in humid areas, which often have large concentrations of pollen

Stress

You should not drive under stress. It increases aggressiveness, fatigue and distractions.

Depression

Depression and some treatments can affect concentration, alertness or reaction time. Consult a specialist, do not drive if impaired, and do not stop prescribed treatment on your own.

Chapter 9 Driver licence Chapter 11 Other Users

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