While there are certain times of the year when drunk drivers are in greater numbers, any time of the year has potential dangers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 people die every day from drunk driving accidents. Because there is such a high risk, it is imperative individuals learn the steps they can take to protect themselves against drunk drivers, no matter the time of year.
Important Tips for Staying Safe
Watching out for drunk drivers and driving defensively is crucial for protecting yourself against drunk driving accidents. When someone drives while under the influence, they do not have the ability to drive safely and often cause serious accidents. The following tips are essential for ensuring you are safe.
- Keep your distance between you and other vehicles on the road. You never know when a driver may be driving under the influence, so keeping a safe distance is critical.
2. Staying prepared is a must when driving. You may be given very little warning when you need to perform an evasive action to prevent an accident.
3. Never fail to wear a seatbelt, no matter how short the driving trip. One of the biggest causes of vehicular death is no seatbelt use. The CDC reported in 2016 that half of the deaths that occurred were due to no seatbelts.
4. Because intersections are a prime area for accidents to occur, it is wise to practice extreme caution when entering an intersection. Taking a few extra seconds and looking in every direction could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
5. Late night driving should be avoided if at all possible. Most drunk driving accidents occur at later hours in the night. When a serious Car Accident occurs, many victims end up needing to get legal help to pursue fair compensation.
6. Should you see someone who appears to be driving while under the influence, it is imperative you protect yourself and others by immediately contacting the police.
Signs a Driver Is Drunk
It is not always obvious when a driver is drunk, but there are some telltale signs that should alert you there is a problem. If you notice a driver exhibiting any of the following, make sure to keep a safe distance and report them to the police.
- Overuse of brakes
- Erratic driving
- Wide turns
- Weaving
- Driving on the wrong side
- Driving without lights
- Not using proper signals
- Sudden acceleration or deceleration without reason
Be Vigilant and Protect Yourself
The above tips are meant to help you protect yourself against drunk drivers. Unfortunately, even the safest drivers can become victims of drunk drivers. When serious injuries and damages result from a drunk driving accident, the victim has the right to seek legal help, so their rights and best interests can be protected.
No matter what time of the day or night you are driving, practicing caution and being aware of other drivers is essential for your protection. Do not allow yourself or your loved ones to become a statistic. By practicing these tips and implementing them every time you drive, you will be able to greatly decrease the risks of becoming a hapless victim of a drunk driver.
