The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but also unfortunately a time where drunk driving becomes far more common. Watch out for these seven warning signs when you are on the road to help you avoid drunk drivers this holiday season:

• Failure to stay in lane

1. 1. • One of the clearest possible signs of a drunk driver is that they cannot stay in their lane. They may swerve or zig-zag between lanes, or drive in the middle of two lanes, struggling to drive straight.

• Failing to signal

1. 1. • Another potential sign of drunk driving is that a driver fails to signal when they turn or change lanes. This could be a sign of simple forgetfulness, or they may be intoxicated and lack the focus to realize they should be signaling at all.

• Sudden stops and starts

1. 1. • One of the key issues that results from drunk driving is delayed reaction time. This often manifests as a driver suddenly stopping or starting up, as they struggle to maintain consistent safe speeds and have delayed reactions to conditions on the road.

• Unusual speeds

1. 1. • Drunk drivers are prone to both excessive speeding, as well as driving extremely slowly compared to other vehicles. In the former case, it is often because they do not realize they are speeding, but in the latter, they may have enough self-awareness to know they are intoxicated and cannot safely drive at normal speeds.

• Ignoring traffic signs or stop lights

1. 1. • Drunk driving also often leads to drivers outright ignoring traffic lights and signs, plowing through red lights and refusing to even slow down at stop signs. This recklessness makes it much more likely they will collide with other vehicles, especially at intersections.

• Driving at night without headlights

1. 1. • Drunk drivers often do not realize their headlights are not on when driving at night, or cannot tell the difference between whether they are on or off. This can lead to them driving at night with their headlights off, further increasing the chances of an accident.

• Driving on the sidewalk or median

1. • A potential sign of serious intoxication is that a driver fails to stay on the road at all. They may drive on the sidewalk, or cross over onto the median between lanes, or in the most extreme examples, may drive directly into oncoming traffic.

 

If you or someone you know has been sickened or injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at the Katter Law Firm. We will help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us at 212-809-4293, or visit our contact page.