Stay Safe From Drunk Drivers This Labor Day Weekend
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Even though many people are social distancing right now, it’s likely there will still be some events to celebrate Labor Day weekend. At those events, a lot of people will drink before getting into their cars and driving home. So if you are out on the road, it’s important that you understand the signs of a drunk or drugged driver. That way, you can keep your distance and stay safe. Seven Obvious Signs Of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is pretty erratic, so if you know what to look for, you can spot a drunk driver. Here are the most obvious signs that someone is driving drunk:
• Tailgating: Drunk drivers often use the car in front of them to steady their own poor driving, so they will follow you closely.
• Zigzagging: Zigzagging or weaving across the road, even into the opposite lanes, is a major telltale sign of drunk driving because drunken individuals have a hard time keeping their vehicle straight.
• Quick Changes: If a driver is accelerating or decelerating quickly, it’s often a sign of drunk driving because the driver’s motor responses have been impaired.
• Headlights Off: Drunk drivers tend to forget to do simple things like turning on their headlights.
• Slow Response: If drivers are slow to obey traffic signs, it’s usually because they are too impaired to read them.
• Abrupt Turns: Abrupt turns are often a sign of a drunk driver because they’re not always paying attention and they have a slow response time.
• Slow Driving: Drunk drivers often drive under the speed limit in hopes of not getting pulled over.
What To Do If You Spot A Drunk Driver
If you see a drunk driver, the most important thing to do is to keep yourself and then others safe. Here’s how you can do that:
• Stay as far away from the vehicle you suspect has a drunk driver as possible. Don’t try to pass the vehicle or get the driver’s attention.
• Try to remember the license plate number as well as the vehicle’s color, make, and model, and note where you are driving. Don’t put yourself at risk to collect this information—just do what you can safely.
• Call the police. Let them know that you think there is a drunk driver and describe the vehicle. Hopefully, the police can get to them before they hurt anyone. Law enforcement officers know how to deal with drunk drivers, so just let them handle it from there.
What To Do If You Are Hit By A Drunk Driver
Even driving defensively, many people still become the victims of drunk driving accidents, so it’s important to know what to do if you’ve been hit by a drunk driver. Here are the steps to take:
• If you are severely injured, seek medical attention right away. Everything else can wait.
• Contact law enforcement. When they arrive, cooperate as much as you can and provide as many details as possible.
• Collect information and evidence about the crash. Take pictures of the scene, write notes about what happened, and ask the police for a copy of their report.
• Make an appointment with your doctor. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it’s important to seek medical treatment. A lot of times, severe injuries don’t show symptoms for months.
• Contact an auto accident attorney. They’ll make sure that your rights are protected as you go through the courts and claims process.
Getting hit by a drunk driver can be devastating, so it is critical that you stay vigilant during holiday weekends. Keep an eye out for drunk drivers every time you’re behind the wheel. If you see one, stay clear and alert the authorities. Finally, if you are hit, just know that the attorneys at All Injuries Law Firm, P.A. are here for you. Give us a call at 1-941-625-HURT when you need us.
Stay safe and enjoy your holiday weekend!