It’s hard not to notice just how much of a role alcohol plays during the holiday season. Specialty cocktails, mulled wine and spiked egg nog seem to be everywhere you go.
Binge drinking is so widespread during the winter holidays, that the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States notes that “even people who are moderate consumers of alcohol tend to increase their drinking rates.” The same study found that most people have no idea where their limits are when they drink.
In the end, this usually translates to an unusually high number of drunk drivers.
How can you protect yourself from intoxicated drivers?
Even when the drinking stops, the effects of the alcohol someone’s recently swallowed do not. A driver may not even realize that they’re impaired, but you can often spot drunk drivers by watching for the following signs:
- Drivers who hug (or hit) the curb
- Drivers who are weaving over the yellow line
- A driver who appears to nod off at a red light or stop sign
- A driver who is braking erratically or stopping for no reason
- Drivers who have forgotten to turn on their headlights after dark
If you spot anything that you think might indicate a drunk driver, use caution. Don’t attempt to stop or confront them on your own. If possible, pull over and call 911 to let the police know what’s happening. Provide them with as much detailed information as you can, including where the driver seemed to be headed, the make and model of their vehicle and any part of the license plate that you’ve captured.
If you are injured by a drunk driver this holiday season, you have every right to seek compensation for your losses. Learn more about your options today.