Steer clear of drivers who seem to be impaired

On Behalf of | Mar 16, 2018 | Car Accidents |

Driving in New York can be quite challenging, especially if you happen to travel through the busier, traffic-laden areas of the state. You never know when someone’s going to cut you off, follow too closely or otherwise place you at risk for injury through unsafe driving maneuvers. Drunk drivers are among the most dangerous types of motorists on New York highways and all roadways throughout the nation.

The problem is that you can’t always tell when a drunk driver is nearby. In fact, data shows there are so many intoxicated drivers on the road, it’s more logical to wonder where they are, rather than if they are there at all. There are certain types of behind-the-wheel behaviors that are common among drunk drivers. If you know how to recognize the signs and have a support network in place, you can quickly access help if a problem arises.

Drivers who do these things might be drunk

You’ve likely made an error here or there while driving although, but fortunately, any misjudgment or incorrect action has not resulted in collision. On the other hand, you can’t do much about another driver’s actions, so it’s always a good idea to know how to spot potential danger when it’s lurking nearby. The following list includes signs that a motorist might be intoxicated:

  • Drunk drivers often forget to use their headlights at night.
  • If you notice a particular motorist sitting far forward in his or her driver’s seat, as though he or she is trying to get very close to the windshield, it might be a sign of driver intoxication.
  • Too wide of turns or bumping curbs when making turns are other common errors drunk drivers often make. 
  • If you’re headed down a highway and see a vehicle coming toward you in the wrong direction, chances are, the driver is drunk. If it’s possible, you might want to safely exit the roadway and call 911. 
  • Drunk drivers tend to drift out of their lanes, veering over the yellow line or off the shoulder of the road. 
  • Erratic braking or acceleration is another sign of impaired driving. Intoxicated motorists often travel at speeds far under current traffic flow. 
  • If you notice a red light turn green, and a vehicle remains stopped, it could be because the driver is intoxicated. This is another common mistake people make when driving under the influence of alcohol. 

If you’re able to avert disaster by recognizing a potential problem and distance yourself from the suspicious driver, that’s great. What if you simply have no room for a quick lane change or to otherwise remove yourself from a risky situation? Even if you witness a motorist driving erratically, there may not be anything you can do to avoid collision. If you suffer injury because of a drunk driver, you deserve to be compensated for the damages you suffer.

Recovery assistance

Many New York residents have endured long, challenging recoveries following drunk driving accidents they did not cause. Most of those who have sought justice in court asked experienced personal injury attorneys to represent them.