By: Scott Perry
While you may not be able to control others who choose to drink and drive, you can be on the lookout for signs of an impaired driver on South Florida roadways. This is even more important on holidays and other days associated with drinking, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, New Year’s, and the Super Bowl.
In 2019, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes – one every 52 minutes. ~ NTHSA
The reason one should be extra vigilant on these days is twofold. First, there tend to be more people drinking and those people tend to be drinking more drinks then on an average day. Second, people tend to start drinking far earlier then on a normal day – some even start with “kegs and eggs.” This means you should be aware that people may be intoxicated starting early in the morning and extending well into the night, when you might expect there to be a drunk driver.
Some signs of an intoxicated driver are: taking turns very wide, swerving in the lane, driving well over or well below the speed limit, straddling the lane markers, excessive or erratic braking, driving without headlights on, stopping inappropriately (at a green light), and narrowly missing cars or other objects.
New Data Shows That Road Fatalities Spiked in First Half of 2021 to more than 20,000. ~ USDOT
Our West Palm Beach drunk driving accident attorneys recommend that if you see a suspected drunk driver stay far behind them (DO NOT try to pass them), make sure you are wearing you seatbelt, and pull over if you can and call 911 or *FHP (star 347) to report the vehicle, speed, direction, and location.
The best advice for someone who wants to enjoy themselves is to get a designated driver and do not risk your life or the lives others.
