It doesn’t matter where you are or what time of the day it is, it’s important to remember that there could be a drunk driver in close proximity to your vehicle.
This is scary, as you never know if this person will make a mistake that causes an accident. Since this is so serious, you need to learn a thing or two about how to detect drunk drivers on the roads. With this knowledge, you’re more able to pinpoint if someone is drunk, thus making it easier to keep your distance and stay safe.
Here are some of the many signs that a person may be impaired:
- Unable to stay in their lane of travel
- Driving on surfaces that are not intended for vehicles, such as sidewalks and bike lanes
- Driving too fast or too slow
- Hitting (or almost striking) objects such as signs and parked vehicles
- Following others too closely
- Neglecting to immediately pull away from a red light after the signal changes
- Signaling that doesn’t match up with the actions the person takes
- Erratic braking
- Inability to drive in a straight lane
- Wide turns
- Forgetting to use their headlights after dark
Just because someone does one or more of the aforementioned actions does not mean they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, it does mean that they are driving in an unsafe manner. If you have any reason to believe a person is drunk, take action by calling 911. Doing so could get the driver off the road, thus saving someone’s life — potentially yours.
In the event of an accident with a drunk driver, don’t take matters into your own hands. Call for the police and let the responding officer test the person’s blood alcohol level. Also, receive immediate medical attention, if necessary.
If it’s found that the person was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you’re in a better position to take action to collect compensation for your injuries and damages to your vehicle.