Every year, about 10,000 people die in car crashes involving a drunk driver. This accounts for about one in every three motor vehicle deaths. As you traverse the roads every day, you may worry about how you’ll keep your family safe from drunk drivers.
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid a crash with a drunk driver. Read on to learn how you can keep your family safe on the roads.
Buckle Up
The single best thing you can do to protect your family from drunk drivers is to buckle up in the car. Some of the steps we’ll discuss below may help you to avoid an accident. But in the event that you are involved in an accident, wearing a seatblet could save your life.
Studies have shown that wearing a seatbelt can reduce risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent. The NHTSA estimates that seat belts save around 15,000 lives every year, and if everyone buckled up, they estimate that another 2,500 lives could be saved annually.
Every time you get in the car, make sure every single passenger is buckled up before you hit the road.
Watch for Erratic Driving
When you’re driving, one of the best ways to protect your family from a crash is to practice defensive driving. A big piece of this involves watching the other drivers around you. Erratic driving can indicate that a driver is drunk and may be a danger to you.
Keep an eye out for drivers who are weaving or drifting between lanes. Quick acceleration and/or deceleration, turning abruptly, or stopping for no apparent reason can also be red flags. Responding slowly or inappropriately to traffic signals, such as red or green lights, can also indicate that a driver may be drunk.
Call the Police
If you do notice erratic driving or signs that a driver may be drunk, the best thing you can do is call the police. They’ll be able to pull the driver over, test their BAC, and get them off the road if needed.
You may be worried about calling the police on someone who may or may not be drunk. The good news is that if they aren’t drunk, the police will pull them over, ask a few questions, make sure they’re safe to be on the road, and let them go on their way. If the person is drunk, the police can get them safely off the road before they hurt anyone, including your family.
It’s also critical to get a police report if you or your family are hurt in an accident with a drunk driver. This can help a Philidelphia auto accident attorney get you the settlement you’re entitled to.
Avoid Tailgating
Another simple way to protect yourself against drunk drivers is to give the car in front of you a little space. A drunk driver may stop unexpectedly or may even cause a crash. Having plenty of space between you and them can give you time to stop safely.
During good weather, its best to leave two seconds between you and the car in front of you. Count the time that elapses between when the back bumper of their car passes a certain object, such as a tree, and when the front bumper of your car passes it. In dark, rainy, or icy conditions, increase that space to at least three seconds.
Be Careful During High-Risk Times
It’s a good idea to practice defensive driving at all times, but it’s especially important during high-risk times. At night, on weekends, and after big sports games, it may be more likely that there will be drunk drivers on the road. There may also be more drunk driver activity around holidays.
During these high-risk times, it’s a good idea to use some extra care. Leave a little more space between you and the cars around you. Be extra vigilant looking for erratic driving, and slow down so you have more time to react if something unexpected does happen.
Get Compensation for Your Injuries
Drunk drivers pose a threat to everyone on the road, including your family. Taking a few basic safety measures can help to keep you and your family safe. Always make sure to buckle up every time you get in the car, call the police if you notice any erratic driving, and avoid tailgating, especially during high-risk times.
