What Should You Do if You Encounter a Potentially Intoxicated Driver?

by Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated September 15, 2021 In Car Accident

If you’ve been driving long enough, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a vehicle that was moving erratically on the road. And if it happened at night and especially on the weekend, there’s a good chance the driver is intoxicated. Intoxicated drivers are one of the biggest risk factors on Tennessee’s roads for causing serious crashes that can injure and even kill others.

Police and state troopers are always on the lookout for impaired drivers, but they don’t always catch them. According to the FBI, drunk drivers get behind the wheel while intoxicated more than 80 times before they are arrested! If you encounter a vehicle that you suspect is being driven by a drunk driver, here’s what you should do:

• Check for signs of intoxication—Commons signs of an impaired driver include erratic acceleration or braking, following too closely, failure to hold a lane, almost hitting other vehicles and objects, and driving without headlights on at night.
• Give the vehicle a wide berth—Drunk drivers are unpredictable. They can swerve into your lane and strike your vehicle at any moment. If you suspect you’re driving near a drunk driver, change lanes or slow down and allow them plenty of room.
• Call 911—Drunk drivers put everyone in their paths at risk, and they can be considered emergency situations. When you call 911, tell the dispatcher where the drunk driver is, the make and model of their car, and their license plate number.

If you’re ever involved in a crash with a drunk driver, the Nashville auto accident lawyers at Ponce Law want to help. You can contact us anytime, day or night, for a free consultation and to get the ball rolling on your compensation claim.