Driving under the influence is among the dominant causes of vehicle accidents in the country. In fact, individuals are severely hurt or even killed in these collisions every day. But to stop this epidemic for good, it takes more than telling our neighbors to drink responsibly. We also need to take the necessary actions to protect ourselves in these situations. These are a few ways to protect yourself from drunk drivers on the road so that we can reduce those statistics, one averted tragedy at a time.
Buckle Up
First and foremost, always make sure that you and your passengers wear seatbelts every time you drive. These features work by stopping your body from moving forward and striking the hard frame of the vehicle if you come to a sudden halt. Since drunk driving crashes can happen with no warning, they’re a great way to help mitigate any possible damage before the car’s even moving. This way, if an accident does occur, you have a better chance of avoiding catastrophic injury.
Watch for Erratic Behavior
Keeping an eye peeled for reckless driving is also an effective way to protect yourself from drunk drivers. When you’re paying close attention to the other drivers on the road, you’ll have more time to respond to the threat and get away before they can run into you. An impaired driver near you may frequently swerve through lanes, brake hard, or tailgate. If you notice any of these indicators, carefully change lanes to get out of their direct path and slow down to let them pass you.
Keep Your Distance
Once the suspected drunk driver is in front of your car, maintain a reasonable distance between you. A wide buffer will ensure that you’re not in the line of fire and have time to react to any sudden movements they make. While best practice is to keep about a car’s length away from the driver ahead of you, in these cases, it’s best to stay a bit further back.
Know What To Do In an Accident
Most importantly, though, you should know what to do if you become a victim of a drunk driving collision. Though no one wants to think about this possibility, having your next steps planned out will allow you to act swiftly afterward. Some essential steps should include calling the police if you’re able, receiving medical attention, and pursuing a lawsuit for compensation if you suffer severe injuries.
