Alcohol has been around for a while. There is a report that states that the first ever alcoholic beverage was a mixed fermented drink containing honey, rice, hawthorn fruit, and grapes in China between 7000 and 6600 BCE. Alcohol has come a long way from such humble beginnings.
Though alcohol does have some minor pros, it is often looked down on. The main reason for this is drunk drivers. There are plenty of responsible drinkers out there. But the irresponsible ones, who resort to driving while drunk and commit crimes, steal all the thunder.
Drunk drivers are a problem, across countries, cultures, classes, and religions. Drivers who take the wheel despite being drunk must be severely punished. If you or someone you know was hit by a drunk driver, then contact a drunk driving accident lawyer as early as possible.
Drunk drivers aren’t just a problem for other drivers; they are a nuisance on the road for others as well. Pedestrians and even people inside shops aren’t safe from them. This article talks about some of the signs you can use to identify a drunk driver. If you notice any of these symptoms in a driver, report them to the concerned authorities as soon as possible.
Swerving
This is perhaps the easiest sign to spot a drunk driver. A sober driver will have no issues driving in a straight line. Alcohol affects a person’s ability to focus, making it difficult to drive in a straight line. Drunk drivers often swerve in an attempt to stick to their lane and drive straight.
Too Much Braking
The dizziness from the alcohol and blurry vision make driving a nightmare for drunk drivers. In an effort to not hit anyone, drunk drivers often brake too much. Stopping the car at odd angles, last-minute braking to prevent crashes, and stopping too far from the line or curb are all telltale signs of a drunk driver.
Driving Too Slow
These are the drunk drivers who drive way below the speed limit. Most drunk drivers do this to go under the police officer’s radar. What they don’t know is that they pose a risk to other motorists by driving too defensively. This is especially true on highways, where it is punishable by law to drive below the minimum speed limit.
Tailgating
This is another tactic drunk drivers use to hide the fact that they are drunk. They will simply follow another vehicle, even when there are opportunities to pass, like empty lanes. If you find a car dangerously close to your vehicle, odds are that’s a drunk driver trying to act normal.
Poor Awareness
Drunk drivers often miss road signs and traffic lights due to impaired focus and vision. Some of the common examples of poor driver awareness include:
- Slow to respond at intersections
- Using the wrong turn signal
- Not using turn signals
- Driving without headlights
- Erratic lane changes
Traffic Violations
Drunk drivers have minimal awareness of their surroundings, and their decision-making skills are severely impaired, along with their ability to focus. This makes them break even the most basic traffic rules, piling up violations as they ride along. Some of the most common traffic violations by drunk drivers include:
- Driving in the wrong lane
- Making illegal turns
- Driving in the emergency lane
- Ignoring traffic signals and signs
- Making illegal turns
- Running over road signs
Final Thoughts
Drunk driving is a serious offense. Individuals arrested for DUI can face anything from heavy fines and mandatory community service to license revocation and imprisonment. Additionally, a DUI can cripple your chances of working in a field that requires you to drive.
Don’t hesitate to take action if you are involved in an accident with a drunk driver. Get in touch with an experienced attorney and find out how you can punish the irresponsible driver. Besides punishment, you’ll also need a lawyer to calculate your damages and find out how much you can expect as compensation.