According to a 2012 study cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.5 percent of motorists in Louisiana admitted to driving after consuming too much alcohol in the last 30 days – the eighth highest rate in the nation. Encountering an intoxicated driver could have terrible consequences. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that impaired motorists cause 33.3 percent of all road deaths in Louisiana.
As such, every driver should know how to spot a drunk motorist. You should keep your distance from drivers who display one or more of these behaviors:
- Driving with the headlights turned off at night;
- Overshooting or skipping stop signs;
- Swerving across lanes;
- Not signaling when changing lanes;
- Speeding; or
- Tailgating
If you were injured by a drunk driver in Louisiana, contact a Shreveport auto accident lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Let’s take a closer look at six ways to spot a drunk driver:
Driving with the Headlights Turned off at Night
Alcohol inhibits the brain’s ability to perform routine tasks such as remembering to switch on the headlights of a car. If you pass a vehicle that does not have its headlights switched on at night, it could be a sign that the driver is drunk.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Overshooting or Skipping Stop Signs
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, being inebriated reduces the brain’s information processing skills. Noticing a stop sign and coming to a halt requires those skills. Not only is it against the law to skip a stop sign, but it also puts people’s lives at risk.
Swerving Across Lanes
Alcohol affects a driver’s coordination and balance, which can cause swerving. This is a common reason for DWI traffic stops.
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Not Signaling When Changing Lanes
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence warns that being inebriated affects a person’s concentration and coordination. In order to execute a turn, a motorist has to slow down, turn the steering wheel, and correctly use the vehicle’s signals. Although this is easy enough to do for a sober driver, drunk drivers often make mistakes at one or more stages of turning.
Speeding
Alcohol impairs a person’s decision-making. Drunk drivers may find it difficult to realize when they are travelling too fast for the conditions. Not only is speeding against the law, but it also increases the risk of crashing because it expands the vehicle’s stopping distance and reduces the amount of time the driver has to respond to hazards in the road.
Tailgating
Being tailgated is a harrowing experience – and according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, it could be a sign that the driver behind you is drunk.
If you were injured in a crash with a drunk driver, contact a Shreveport car accident attorney from Morris Bart, LLC. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
