Contrary to this tragic incident, the number of drunk driving fatalities in Florida decreased by more than seven percent in 2017. This means there were 66 fewer deaths on Florida roads in 2017 compared to 2016. This is an outstanding achievement and falls below the average national rate. Over 800 people died in Florida due to alcohol-related incidents. Unfortunately, drunk drivers are still the number one cause of traffic deaths in Florida and in the United States.
What Are the Signs That Another Driver Is Intoxicated When Driving?
It can make the difference between a serious accident and a safe return home. Remember that drunken drivers are more likely to be on the road at weekends, nights, and during holidays. These signs are also common.
- Swerving into and out of lanes
- Frequently and abruptly hitting the brakes
- Avoiding other vehicles, curbs, or guardrails with a narrow margin
- Under-speeding is a serious offense
- Rapid acceleration and deceleration
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Headlights that are off
You should leave as much room as possible between your car and another vehicle if you suspect the other driver to be intoxicated. You should try to take down the license plate, color, make, and model of the car if you can safely do so. Stop driving as soon as you can and dial 9-1-1 for authorities to be notified.
What Should You Do if the Other Driver Is Visibly Intoxicated After an Accident?
Even though car accidents are frustrating at best, it is difficult to know what to do after a two-vehicle accident where the other driver appears to be intoxicated. After an accident, it is important to remember that your safety must remain a priority.
- Assessing the situation. Contrary to what you may think, it is important to observe the situation before offering assistance to the other driver. A person whose mental health is affected may act aggressively and erratically. In this situation, your safety comes first.
- Use your smartphone to take pictures, record videos, and note witnesses. These days, almost everyone owns a smartphone, so this is a great opportunity to use it. If you need to corroborate your account later, recording as much information as possible will help. Also, ask anyone who witnessed the accident for their contact information.
- Alert the authorities. If possible, notify law enforcement on the scene, or by phone, of the intoxication of the other driver. You should also ask the police officers on the scene to give you a report.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a St Petersburg auto accident attorney. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
