If a drunk driver was responsible for the injury or death of someone you love, you are keenly aware of how much damage an impaired driver can do.
When a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, their vehicle becomes a potentially deadly weapon. Knowing the telltale signs of an impaired driver could save your life.
Higher risk periods
While some people drink during the day, it is more prevalent at night, particularly on weekends and holidays. Adding alcohol to the already more dangerous conditions that night driving brings only increases the potential for a serious accident.
Impaired driving behavior
Alcohol slows a driver’s reactions and diminishes their focus. It also lowers inhibitions, which may cause a normally careful driver to become more aggressive or less cautious. Some telltale signs to watch for include:
- Driving too slow or too fast
- Swerving or driving outside of lane boundaries
- Not using turn signals
- Failure to turn on headlights
- Following too close
- Going the wrong way on a one-way street
While some of these behaviors could also result from a distracted or fatigued driver, the danger to you and your passengers is the same. However, a distracted driver may still be able to react quickly to avoid causing an accident. A drunk driver will likely not be.
If you suspect you are in the presence of a drunk driver, let them pass you and keep your distance. Better to have them in front of you so you can recognize and avoid dangerous drivers.