Nobody wants to encounter a drunk driver on the road, since that’s an easy way to end up in an accident through no fault of your own. Fortunately, drunk drivers tend to be fairly easy to spot, especially when the signs are apparent. If you’re on the alert, you may be able to see one coming and take the appropriate actions to protect your safety.
The following are three signs of a drunk driver:
1. Swerving
Alcohol leads to poor muscle coordination, so a driver may find it challenging to balance their car. As a result, they may weave or zig-zag across the road. Further, drunk drivers often overcompensate, trying to avoid attracting attention and being caught. That can lead to swerving in the road as they try to maintain a straight path, hitting curbs when they overcorrect their wheel on a turn and driving too slowly for the traffic conditions and weather.
2. Tailgating
Drunk drivers have poor judgment. They may not even realize they are too close to a car in front, or they may be doing it for some kind of misguided fun. Some people seem to naturally get a little more hostile when they’re intoxicated, and tailgating is often related to anger or road rage.
3. Sudden shifts in speed
Alcohol affects a driver’s motor skills and perceptions, so they may erratically accelerate and decelerate their vehicles without any discernible reason. Abrupt stops and starts at stop signs or red lights are also another clue that a driver may be impaired.
If you believe that you’re around a drunk driver, be extra careful: Pull over and put some distance between you, and call 911 once you’re stopped to alert the police to your suspicions. If you are injured in a wreck with a drunk driver, however, find out more about your legal options. You have every right to demand fair compensation for your losses.