Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 37 people die every day in the U.S. in drunk-driving crashes. This means one person every 39 minutes, which is alarming.
This guide discusses four signs to help you spot a drunk driver:
1. Speeding or driving too slowly
Alcohol may impair one’s ability to judge speed – a driver may speed without noticing. However, since alcohol encourages risk-taking behaviors, a driver may also accelerate knowingly.
On the other hand, a drunk driver may drive slowly to avoid attention, as they may believe everyone, particularly the police, can tell they are drunk.
In both cases, the driver may engage in abrupt acceleration and deceleration to correct their speed.
2. Tailgating
Since alcohol impairs judgment, a drunk driver may be unable to judge distance. They may not realize that they are too close behind another vehicle.
3. Weaving
Alcohol affects how the brain works – it impairs hand-eye coordination. Someone drunk may find it challenging to keep their eyes on the road and control their car. As a result, they may move back and forth between lanes.
4. Sudden stops
A drunk driver may stop suddenly for no reason. With impaired vision, one may believe they have seen something on the road and, in turn, may brake abruptly. They may do this instead of decelerating or any other appropriate response because alcohol may have impacted their decision-making process and reaction time.
You should be extra careful when a driver exhibits the above-discussed signs and other strange ones. If such a driver injures you, consider your options to protect your rights.