Steer clear of drivers who exhibit these behaviors
Perhaps you’re planning on visiting a beautiful lake, state park or historical town in Pennsylvania and want to research traffic information before finalizing your plans. A continual flow of tourists share state roadways with full-time residents on a daily basis. This state has so much to offer that the tourist season typically extends throughout the year. From those who drive long distances hoping to see the perfect autumn foliage to those with season tickets to Pirate baseball games, out-of-state visitors seem to have no problem filling their itineraries.
When it comes to road travel, however, no matter what state you visit, certain dangers exist that can place you and your family in harm’s way. Drunk driving is one of the biggest traffic menaces on Pennsylvania roadways and those throughout the nation. People who make the poor choice to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol place you, other motorists and pedestrians at risk for serious injury or, in worst cases, death.
Do you know how to spot a drunk driver?
In some situations, no matter how cautious a driver you are, you may still fall victim to another motorist’s negligence. However, if you keep the following signs of drunk driving in mind, you may be able to spot a potential problem and avoid a collision:
- If you notice a driver having trouble keeping his or her vehicle within the appropriate traffic lane, it may be a sign of impairment. Drunk drivers tend to veer from left to right in their lanes, often drifting into other lanes of traffic.
- Does the braking pattern of the car in front of you match the current traffic flow? If a vehicle appears to be braking for no reason, you might have a drunk driver in your midst.
- On rare occasions, sober drivers forget to turn on their headlights when needed. Be aware that drunk drivers often make this mistake.
- Motorists using incorrect turn signals place themselves and others at risk for collision. Drivers acting under the influence of alcohol often signal one direction, but turn the other.
Other red flag behaviors may alert you to drunk driving, including vehicles that bump into curbs or repeatedly veer onto the shoulder of the road. If you can do so safely, it’s typically best to report any situation you witness that causes you concern. Police are often able to save lives when they check out the possible drunk driving alerts they receive from other motorists.
If you or your immediate family member suffered an injury in a drunk driving collision, you can seek justice in a civil court by filing a personal injury claim against the motorist deemed responsible. Such collisions often lead to criminal charges as well. In fact, attorneys who act on behalf of recovering accident victims often draw the court’s attention to existing criminal cases to help substantiate personal injury claims.