You may be a safe driver, but that doesn’t mean other drivers are. Some drivers take a risk by drinking and driving. Alcohol impairs people’s driving abilities and raises the risk of auto accidents. Drunk drivers can appear day and night and are especially prominent during holidays.
It takes more than being a safe driver to avoid auto accidents – you need to be a defensive driver too. To avoid accidents with drunk drivers, you need to know how to spot one. Here are some questions you can ask to identify a drunk driver:
Are they randomly stopping?
One sign of a drunk driver is if you notice a vehicle is randomly stopping. A drunk driver may be randomly stopping because they’re trying to, for example, find their home or they’re aware of their condition and believe that going slow will keep them safe. However, a vehicle that stops without any indication is likely to cause accidents with unsuspecting drivers.
It’s often best to distance yourself from drunk drivers whenever possible. So, if a vehicle is randomly stopping, you could first consider going around them. But, if you can’t get around the vehicle, then your next option may be to find an exit or another road to go on.
Did they run a red light?
You may notice a driver who ran a red light. Drunk drivers are likely to run red lights and stop signs because they didn’t notice that they needed to stop.
While the vehicle may have passed you, you may encounter the vehicle again. Keeping note of the model of the vehicle that ran the light could help you. You could avoid the car if you see it again so that you don’t end up in an accident. If possible, pull over and notify the police of the encounter, with all the information you have.
Some car accidents can’t be avoided no matter how defensive you are. Auto accidents can cause serious injuries and vehicle damages that require you to learn about your legal options.