It is usually not against the law to order a glass of wine while out to dinner and then drive home. Yet even if a driver has a BAC less than the legal limit, a driver’s fatigue, prescription medication and other factors can mean even one alcoholic drink before driving is not a good idea.
You do not have to be above a .08 BAC to be driving under the influence. It always pays to be careful on the road, so below we have outlined some ways to spot a drunk, drugged or tipsy driver.
Signs of danger on the road
Some of the common signs of drunk driving behavior are below:
- Headlight and turn signals. Watch for cars without headlights, particularly if they are leaving a restaurant or bar. This is common error drunk drivers make.
- Wide turns. If a car is making a right turn far too widely, it may be a sign that the driver has an impaired sense of perception.
- Veering. Any vehicle that is veering left and right in its lane or drifting is a definite warning sign of possible driver intoxication.
- Speed. This is a big sign of being under the influence. Cars sharing a particular stretch of road should travel at consistent and similar rates of speed. If you notice a vehicle moving far slower than the current traffic flow, or has erratic speed, it’s best to keep your eyes on the driver and distance yourself, if possible, as he or she may be intoxicated.
- Delay at stoplights. If a light turns green and a car continues to remain stationary, it may be cause for concern. Drunk drivers often have slow reaction times or may be sleeping behind the wheel.
You can make responsible choices and remain alert and cautious behind the wheel to increase your chances of arriving safely to your destination. You can’t do much about other people’s driving decisions, however. Knowing that an injury you suffered was entirely preventable were it not for another person’s choice to drive drunk may understandably intensify the trauma of your situation.