Sharing the road with someone driving under the influence of alcohol endangers you. They can easily make a mistake that causes an accident, injuring you. That’s why knowing the telltale signs of drunk driving is essential.
Here are four signs that can help you identify a drunk driver:
Tailgating
Alcohol reduces the brain’s ability to process visual information – it impairs depth perception. Accordingly, a drunk driver may be unable to judge distances. They may not tell when they are following a lead vehicle too closely. Besides, an intoxicated driver may intentionally tailgate to use the lead vehicle as a guide for staying in their lane.
Tailgating is dangerous because the other driver may not have the space and time to react safely when you suddenly change speed or stop.
Quick acceleration and deceleration
Due to impaired perception, judgment and coordination, a drunk driver is more likely to engage in quick acceleration and deceleration. Alcohol can also make a driver feel overconfident. In turn, they may engage in erratic behaviors like inconsistent speed.
Weaving
Another common erratic behavior of a drunk driver is weaving in and out of their lane. This behavior can also be caused by impaired coordination – the driver may be unable to stay in a straight line.
Further, it’s not uncommon for a drunk driver to fall asleep behind the wheel since alcohol is a depressant that slows down the nervous system. When asleep, they might get out of their lane and then suddenly return upon waking up. This can happen consistently.
Slowed reaction time
If a driver responds slowly to traffic signals or a change in traffic conditions, they might be impaired.
You may be around a drunk driver during the day or at night. Thus, you need to be extra careful when on the road. If a drunk driver injures you, legal guidance can help you receive just compensation.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed
