And What To Do If You See One //
Every day in the United States, almost 30 people are killed by drunk drivers, so it’s fair to assume there are more than a few of them on the road. Being able to recognize a drunk driver on the road can save lives, including your own.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, give them plenty of space. When it is safe, call 911 and give authorities all the information you have about the driver, the car they were driving, and where you spotted them. Keeping dangerous, intoxicated drivers off the road is the key to preventing drunk driving accidents.
MADD’s Tips for Spotting Drunk or Drugged Drivers
The nonprofit organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has a section of its site dedicated to concerned citizens.
According to MADD, signs that a fellow motorist may be driving while impaired include:
- Quick acceleration or deceleration
- Weaving or zig-zagging across the road
- Tailgating
- Driving on the shoulder or a part of the road not meant for vehicles
- Nearly colliding with another vehicle, object, or the curb
- Stopping or braking abruptly and without an apparent cause
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Swerving
- Signaling that is inconsistent with driving actions
- Slow responses to stop lights and other traffic signals
- Driving without headlights at night
- Driving too fast or too slowly (more than 10 mph below the speed limit)
- Making abrupt or illegal turns
- Straddling the center of a lane
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
Again, if you see a drunk driver or someone exhibiting the signs above, stay as far away from the vehicle as possible. Don’t try to pass the driver, as it’s safer to be behind a drunk driver than in front of them.
Without compromising your safety, gather as much information as you can. Try to remember the license plate number and any other distinguishing details of the vehicle (make, model, color, etc.). When you are ready, pull over or use hands-free dialing to call 911. Tell the operator where you are, exactly where you saw the drunk driver (use cross streets if possible), and what direction the other vehicle is traveling.
From there, you can continue your night knowing that you may have saved lives.
What If I Don’t See the Drunk Driver In Time?
While your actions can save lives if you see a drunk driver before an accident happens, drunk drivers can come out of nowhere – and they may even hit your vehicle.
If you are involved in a drunk driving accident, call 911 and stay at the scene. As with all car accidents, seek emergency medical treatment if you need it and gather as much evidence as possible while at the scene. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to or exchanging insurance information with an impaired driver, you can simply wait for the police to arrive.
When you have received treatment for any injuries, you should also contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights and obligations. You may need to testify in a criminal case, and you also have the right to recover compensation via a civil personal injury lawsuit.
Zayas Law Firm has over 50 years of experience and is available 24/7 to help our clients with the aftermath of accidents caused by driving under the influence.
We offer services in English and Spanish, as well as weekend and evening appointments. Most importantly, we won’t charge you any legal fees unless we win your case.
For the dedicated support you deserve during this difficult time, call us at (860) 854-9156 or contact us online – your initial consultation is free!