Everyone knows that drinking alcohol and driving do not mix. The risk of getting caught, crashing into another person and becoming injured is too great. Yet, some individuals still take chances and drive while buzzed, knowing those dangers.
As a motorist who frequents the streets of Pennsylvania every day, you may not realize when you are driving near a drunken driver. To minimize the chances of you encountering intoxicated drivers, review the following signs of inebriation.
Not all drunk drivers appear drunk
Sometimes people who drive while drunk look normal. You may not be able to detect impairment until they speak, get out of their vehicles or cause motor vehicle accidents. However, there are some common signs you can rely on to determine if you are near an intoxicated driver. They include:
- Poor hand and eye coordination
- Drowsiness or unconsciousness
- Confusion
- Poor judgment
- Inability to properly control the vehicle
Many intoxicated drivers are unable to focus on the roads without experiencing confusion and a loss of consciousness. As a result, their perception of their driving behaviors is drastically different from what other drivers see. For example, some drunk motorists think they are driving too fast and reduce their speed until they are driving slower than posted speed limits. Even though they could use the flow of traffic as a reference to check their speeds, they do not. Another example is when they drive from one side of their lane to the other, not realizing their behavior can lead to motor vehicle accidents.
Another often overlooked sign is recklessness. Not all incidents of aggressive driving are the cause of tardiness and anger. Some people who road rage have recently been drinking. Their aggression is just one of several ways their body is reacting to alcohol.
It is important for you to make your safety a top priority before you get behind the wheel. Avoid drinking alcohol several hours before you drive. Encourage your friends not to drive while intoxicated. Do not forget to keep a watchful eye out for drunken drivers so you can avoid becoming a car accident victim.