How to spot an impaired driver

No matter how safely you drive, other external factors on the road can put you in danger, such as encountering an impaired driver. Some people will refuse to get behind the wheel if they feel unwell. Other times, they may continue to drive despite taking substances that can compromise their senses.

This risky driving habit is a serious problem nationwide, contributing to severe and fatal collisions. Substances can impede reaction time, decision-making abilities and vigilance behind the wheel. Luckily, you can easily avoid this driving practice and have no part in this already growing problem.

Law enforcement takes various initiatives to mitigate impaired driving, but there is no sure way to keep intoxicated drivers off the road. To keep yourself safe, you can spot an impaired driver if they exhibit the following signs:

• They make unnecessarily wide driving maneuvers.
• They cannot maintain an exact direction while driving, making them weave in and out of lanes unstably.
• They cannot keep a safe distance between their vehicle and others.
• They make abrupt and unreasonable driving errors, such as unnecessary stops, turns or failing to follow traffic rules.
• They cannot use their signal lights consistently, making their vehicle’s movements unpredictable.

Driving near an impaired driver can be severely dangerous, putting you and your passengers at risk.

Holding impaired drivers accountable

Sometimes, you can stay safe by staying away from impaired drivers. However, some severe collisions can happen regardless of how careful you are. These crashes can lead to significant damages, injuries and even deaths.

Depending on the circumstances, you can take legal action against the impaired driver to seek compensation and justice for the accident. Doing so can help you recover from the incident and hold them accountable for their actions.