There’s no doubt that intoxicated drunk driver pose a danger to everyone on the road. From passengers to pedestrians to other motor vehicles, operating a vehicle while intoxicated can result in serious damage and lead to a potentially tragic outcome. Still, despite the risks, warnings, and hefty penalties and fines associated with this offense, many individuals decide to sit behind the wheel even when they’re too impaired to drive.
Because of this immense safety risk that drunk driving carries, it is important to report these events to the authorities as soon as possible. In this article, you’ll learn some drunk driving statistics, telltale signs of drunk drivers, and the steps you can take to report them to the authorities.
Drunk driving statistics
Impaired driving is one of the main causes of fatal accidents and injuries around the globe. There are roughly 37 drunk driving casualties every single day in the U.S. alone. Of all the traffic fatalities that took place in the U.S. in 2022, 32% of them occurred as a result of drunk driving. What’s more, the number of tragic fatal car accidents seems to increase every year. While states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts have low rates of impaired driving, the same cannot be said for states such as Montana and Oregon. These states, along with New Mexico and Wyoming are on top of the list when it comes to high drunk driving rates.
All these statistics only highlight the importance of knowing how to report drunk driver when you see one. Erratic behavior and unpredictability make these drivers a major safety threat to anyone sharing the road with them. Reporting them can not only help prevent some serious damage but potentially save lives.
Signs of an intoxicated driver
To spot an intoxicated driver, you need to know what impairment signs to look for. There are many telltale signs that the driver is impaired. One of the most obvious indicators is driving on the wrong side of the road or down its center. Intoxicated drivers often stop the car inappropriately or take sudden turns out of nowhere. They may break or accelerate unpredictably while failing to obey speed limit signs.
Moreover, an impaired driver may ignore the traffic signals and fail to respond to them. You may also notice that they are swerving. Because of their impairment, they’re also more likely to tailgate. While these are common signs of a driver who may be under the influence, that may not always be the case. They could be driving recklessly or, in some cases, they might even require medical assistance in case of an emergency such as a stroke or a seizure. Still, if there is a suspicion of impaired driving, it’s important to report the driver of the vehicle to the police since this can help prevent a traffic accident with a potentially tragic outcome.
How to report a drunk driver
If you suspect that a person operating a vehicle might be intoxicated, you should inform law enforcement right away. Contact your local police department by calling 911 and give a close description of the vehicle in question. Even better – take a picture of the vehicle in question if possible. Describe the driver, location, vehicle, model of the car, and its license plate number.
Upon getting informed, law enforcement will help get the impaired driver’s car off the road, potentially preventing an accident. Be sure to provide as many details as possible as this can speed up the process immensely. Keep in mind that you can report erratic driving anonymously if you want to, without anyone taking illegal action against you for doing so.
Safety tips when reporting a drunk driver
When reporting a drunk driver, prioritize safety. You don’t want to confront a suspected driver yourself. Instead, keep a safe distance from the suspected driver in question while taking note of all the important details that are crucial to the report. Gather as much information as possible. That said, do your best to keep things under wraps.
Do not attempt to engage with the driver in question and do not signal anything to them. Doing so could worsen an already critical situation, causing things to get out of hand fairly quickly. Finally, never assume that someone else will report these suspicious activities. Instead, take action yourself, and be proactive, as this could mean the difference between life and death.
Wrapping up
We all know the potential risks that come with impaired driving. Even so, numerous motor vehicle accidents occur each year and a large percentage of those accidents involve drunk drivers. We as bystanders must learn how to spot the signs of drunk driving and react accordingly. Not only can this help save our lives, but also the lives of everyone on the road.
