Many people in Pennsylvania are concerned about encountering a drunk driver on the road. When people consume alcohol to the point of intoxication, they may be unable to drive safely. Every year, many serious and even fatal auto accidents are caused by drunk drivers, especially repeated drunk drivers who frequently drive over the legal limit. However, people can take action to protect themselves, even when they encounter dangerous drivers on the road.
One thing that people can do is be aware of the signs of drunk driving. By steering clear of potentially intoxicated drivers, people may avoid potentially severe car accidents. Some signs of a drunk driver include making excessively wide turns, driving out of a lane or in the center of the road, almost hitting other cars or objects, weaving in and out of a lane, making sudden illegal turns and braking erratically. Some signs are even more obvious, such as driving in the wrong direction on the road or visibly drinking from a bottle of alcohol. If drivers notice others behaving erratically behind the wheel, they should prepare to take quick action if necessary.
In some cases, it may be best to pull over to avoid the vehicle. If the other vehicle is aiming directly at a driver, that driver could pull to the right, flash their lights and honk in an attempt to alert the oncoming vehicle. As soon as possible, people should call the police to alert them to the presence of an intoxicated driver on the road.
Of course, staying alert and taking precautions may not be enough to stop an aggressive, drunk or dangerous driver. People who have been injured in a car crash due to someone else’s negligent driving may choose to work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their damages.