Recognizing the Signs of Drunk Driving

Safety is one of the most important things you can focus on when you’re behind the wheel. Part of safety is recognizing when someone else may be negligent. Of course, one of the most dangerous things that someone can do is driving while intoxicated.

As a driver, it’s crucial to recognize some of the common signs that may indicate a drunk driver. Below, we’ll describe some of the behaviors you may see that would potentially indicate a drunk driver and what you can do to stay as safe as possible if you should ever encounter one.

What You Should Look For

If you read our blog about the dangers of drunk driving, you know that intoxication can significantly impact cognitive abilities, vision, decision-making, and more. As such, the impairments can cause drivers to exhibit specific signs when driving, including the following:

• Speeding
• Swerving from one lane to the next
• Erratic braking
• Driving without headlights on at night
• Jerking back and forth

One potential sign of a drunk driver is when he or she constantly drives over the rumble strips and quickly moves back to the middle of the lane. Intoxication often goes hand-in-hand with fatigue, causing drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

If you encounter a drunk driver on the road, you should ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to stay safe. For instance, be sure to report the drunk driver to local authorities. Describe their driving behavior, location and direction they’re traveling, vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number.

It’s a good idea to stay back and never try to pass a drunk driver because it can lead to a severe crash.

At Burnetti, P.A., we know that no matter how safe and defensive you drive, you cannot always predict other people’s actions. If someone causes you harm, you can work with our Florida car accident lawyers to determine where they may have been negligent and pursue compensation.