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Can you spot a drunk driver?

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2022 | Auto Accidents |

Drunk drivers are still a major problem, despite years of campaigns warning of the dangers, the best attempt of police and state troopers to catch them, and the harsh penalties intended to deter people.

You can do little or nothing to change that, so all you can do is avoid doing it yourself and learn how you can spot a drunk driver before they endanger you and your passengers.

What do drunk drivers look like?

They look like everyone else. White or Black, in their teens or their 80s, male or female, in a small car or a huge truck. The only way to spot these people is by seeing how they drive.

Here are a few clues:

  • They crawl along the road with no lights: Someone steps out of the bar and realizes they will be in trouble if the police stop them. What better way to avoid this than crawling along stealthily with the lights off? Drunk logic does not always make sense.
  • They cannot maintain a straight course: It is the driving equivalent of a drunk who staggers across the room in a zig-zag fashion.
  • They are tight up against the steering wheel: Have you ever seen a nervous learner driver leaned over the wheel in concentration? People who know they have had too much to drink may do the same. They know they are tipsy, so they focus extra hard.
  • They are driving free and loose: Alcohol relaxes people, which can transfer to their driving. It could include ignoring lights, speeding through the streets, or hanging their arm out the window with their hand surfing the breeze.

If you can spot a drunk driver from a distance, you may be able to keep out of their way. Yet, it might not always be possible. If you noticed they seemed drunk, it might help you put the blame for the car crash squarely on their shoulders and get the compensation you need.

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