Which factor is most likely to increase a driver's risk of being in an accident?

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. This impairment affects several critical skills required for safe driving, including reaction time, judgment, and coordination. Alcohol and drugs can distort perception, decrease attention span, impair decision-making abilities, and slow reflexes, all of which contribute to a higher likelihood of being involved in an accident.

While driving with passengers can sometimes lead to distractions, and using GPS navigation requires some attention, these factors generally do not have as profound an effect on driving capabilities as substance impairment does. Daylight driving also typically presents clearer visibility conditions, making driving safer compared to night-time driving under the influence. Thus, the presence of alcohol or drugs is a uniquely dangerous factor that escalates the risk of accidents on the road.