This April, our team at Clawson & Clawson, LLP joins countless other organizations and entities in recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month. Organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, this nationwide campaign promotes awareness of the dangers of alcoholism and strives to provide affected individuals and families with the resources they need to deal with drinking problems.
Our car accident attorneys are fully aware that drunk driving is a common cause of car accidents in the United States. This year, we’re marking Alcohol Awareness Month by providing a list of signs of drunk driving. By being aware of these red flags, you can determine whether a driver is being dangerous on the road and potentially avoid a serious crash by creating space, navigating around the driver, or reporting the dangerous driving to the authorities.
Signs of Drunk Driving
Though there are some things outside of our control and we have no say in the behavior or actions of others, being vigilant on the road is one thing you can do to keep yourself, your family, and others safe.
Some signs that a fellow driver may be drunk while driving include:
- Swerving: Is the driver swerving in their own lane or drifting over into other lanes before jerking back? It’s possible they may be distracted or impaired.
- Tailgating: Drivers under the influence of alcohol have impaired coordination and vision and may drive too closely behind vehicles, or they may be speeding. If you’re being tailgated by someone you suspect is drunk, it’s a good idea to change lanes to remove yourself from harm’s way.
- Inconsistent signaling: Be wary of drivers whose signaling doesn’t align with their actions. If they suddenly change lanes or leave their blinkers on without noticing, they might be impaired.
- Driving into opposing traffic: Unfortunately, many accidents and fatalities have occurred as a result of drunk drivers driving on the wrong side of the road, which leads to catastrophic head-on collisions.
Other warning signs include driving with the headlights off at night, driving extremely slowly or fast, making illegal or abrupt turns, or quickly accelerating or braking. Alcohol impairs your judgment, coordination, and vision, all of which are essential to safely navigate the road.
If you see someone who is obviously drunk, don’t try to pass the vehicle or get their attention, as you may create a more dangerous situation. Instead, get a look at their license plate number and call 911 to report the vehicle and reasons why you suspect they may be impaired. By doing this, you can protect yourself as well as other drivers who come into contact with the driver.
Call Us After a Car Accident
Our personal injury firm has provided over a century’s worth of trusted service and representation to clients in Colorado Springs and throughout the state. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the United States—nearly 6 million occur every year, injuring and killing countless innocent drivers and passengers alike. Just because they’re common, though, doesn’t mean you deserve to be injured and traumatized because of someone else’s negligence.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by drunk driving, distracted driving, or any other kind of negligence, don’t hesitate to call our car accident attorneys so we can learn more about your situation and secure the fair and full compensation you need. No claim is too complex for us to handle on your behalf, and we represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay for your case until we win.
Our firm has over 100 years of collective experience representing the injured throughout Colorado. Get the experienced help you need today by contacting us online or by phone at (719) 602-5888. Clawson & Clawson, LLP is here to deliver compassion and results.