All Posts

Our Blog

Driving Safety / 9.25.2019

5 Signs of Drunk Driving to Look Out For

Even with initiatives and public awareness programs aimed at preventing drunk driving, there are still individuals who get behind the wheel after having alcoholic drinks. Police officers know all too well the signs of drunk driving to look out for. A majority of individuals who are suspected of DUIs are initially pulled over by the police due to some tell-tale signs of drunk driving.

While you can’t usually stop a random individual from drinking and driving, there are some things that you can do and look out for in order to stay safe on the road. Here, we discuss five signs of drunk driving to keep your eye on.

Swerving

This behavior is one of the easiest to spot, both for police officers and other drivers on the road. Alcohol makes it difficult for drivers to concentrate on what they have to do. Alcohol also weakens eye muscle function, which can hinder a driver’s ability to see lane markers and other road marks.

Excessive Braking

Some drivers who are under the influence overcompensate by driving too slowly or braking excessively to avoid going over the speed limit. However, driving too slow is also a hazard – and could be a sign that the driver is under the influence.

Straddling the Center Lane

To avoid swerving, some alcohol-impaired drivers will “hug” the center lane to appear less conspicuous to law enforcement officers and other drivers.

Persistent Tailgating

Vision is impacted for alcohol-impaired drivers, meaning they may have trouble seeing lane dividers and focusing on what is in front of them. Drivers then may attempt to closely follow the car in front of them, even if there are other empty lanes. This can be dangerous, as impaired drivers have slower reflexes and may not be able to brake suddenly if road conditions change.

Breaking Traffic Laws

Difficulty comprehending road situations, hindered vision, and slower reflexes mean that impaired drivers have difficulty following road signs and reacting how one needs to when behind the wheel. Running through red lights is not an uncommon way for drunk driving accidents to occur, in addition to improper signaling, driving on the wrong side of the road, or driving under the speed limit.

While none of these signs can actually prove that a driver is under the influence, it’s better to keep your distance from any drivers who are portraying these signs, as they are still dangerous driving behaviors.

Unfortunately, even the most vigilant drivers can fall victim to drunk driving accidents at the hands of others. If you or a loved one is injured by an intoxicated driver, turn to the Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyer. We will work to determine whether drunk driving played a role in your accident and fight to help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Share This Story

Interested in this topic? Your friends might be too! Consider sharing this story to your social media channels by clicking one of the buttons below.
One Call, That’s All.
Get Started!
(601) 988-8888
162 East Amite St
Jackson, MS 39201
Map & Directions
193 S Commerce St #101
Tupelo, MS 38804
Map & Directions
201 Hardy St
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Map & Directions
1702 MS-39 N, Suite 6
Meridian, MS 39301
Map & Directions
1835 HWY 45 North, Suite 105
Columbus, MS 39705
Map & Directions
Greenville, MS
By Appointment Only
Greenwood, MS
By Appointment Only
By submitting your request via our online forms or chat, you grant permission to our law firm to contact you by phone, text messaging, automatic telephone dialing system and/or a telephone dialing system using artificial or prerecorded voice message, and/or email using the phone number or email address that your provided so we may assist you with your request for a free case evaluation and you consent to our use of an automatic telephone dialing system, even if the number you provided us is a wireless line. Being contacted is not a guarantee of acceptance of our services. No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
upload