Avoiding Drunk Drivers
Statistics tell only part of the story of the devastation caused by drunk drivers in Florida each year. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 5,223 confirmed alcohol-related crashes in 2016. Of these, over 400 were alcohol-confirmed fatal crashes resulting in 461 fatalities. Another 1,971 car crashes resulted in 3,160 alcohol-confirmed injuries.
At Bundza & Rodriguez, we see clients all the time suffering from some of the worst injuries imaginable, all caused by drunk drivers—paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and third-degree burns. To protect yourself from drunk drivers, follow the tips below.
Avoid Driving during “Drinking Holidays”
Some days are known for having a high number of revelers out on the road, and the more drunk drivers on the road the greater your risk of getting hit. If possible, you should avoid driving on the following days:
- Patrick’s Day
- Fourth of July
- Super Bowl Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
If you need to drive, then look for places where police will set up roadblocks. DUI checkpoints are very popular during these drinking holidays. Police will stop cars randomly and ask drivers whether they have been drinking. Officers can also pull over any car that shows clear signs the driver has been drinking. The police can weed out many (though not all) drunk drivers at DUI checkpoints, so pass through them happily.
Drive during the Day as Much as Possible
More drunk driving crashes occur at night, either because more people drink in the evening or more drunk people take a chance at driving in the evening. Regardless of the reason, you can dramatically minimize your chances of getting struck by a drunk driver by doing most of your driving during the day. Some night driving is unavoidable, but try to shift grocery shopping, errands, and trips to the laundromat to the daylight hours.
Drive on the Right-hand side of your Lane
Many drunk drivers crash because they drift into oncoming traffic. If you drive close to the right-hand side of your lane, you give yourself more time to react if a drunk driver is headed your way. Every fraction of a second counts, so give yourself as much time as possible and remember to scan several seconds ahead so that you can spot an erratic driver headed your way.
Report Suspicious Drivers
If you see someone get into a car who looks intoxicated—or if you see a car swerving all over the road—report it to the police so that they can check it out. Remember to pull over to the side of the road before calling—you don’t want to be a danger to others yourself.
Contact a Daytona Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Drunk drivers cause unimaginable damage each year, but you do not have to be a victim. At Bundza & Rodriguez in Daytona Beach, we fight for compensation for motorists injured by drunk drivers. Our team will carefully review your case and identify how much compensation you can receive for medical expense, lost wages, and intangible injuries like emotional distress or pain and suffering. Call us today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2016.pdf
