Understanding How to Recognize the Signs of Drunk Drivers
The South Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that a drunk driver finally had his day in court shortly before the Broward courthouse all but closed to the public back in March. The 30-year-old began a battle against vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter charges stemming from the 2016 death of a 27-year-old scooter rider who was struck and killed by the drunk driver while he was reportedly traveling at 107 mph as little as a second before impact. The drunk driver of the speeding Chevrolet Camaro also reportedly had a suspended license when he got behind the wheel after an afternoon of day drinking at Dania Beach. A blood alcohol test after the crash showed that the drunk driver was at a level at 0.19 percent, more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08.
What is the Law in Florida?
Choosing to drink and drive can lead to dire consequences for others on the road who have nothing to do with this kind of risky behavior. After all, a person is injured in an alcohol-impaired driving car accident every two minutes and many of those who suffer from injuries as the result of one of these accidents are simply the victim of someone else’s choice to drink and drive.
In addition to the potential of causing harmful injuries, it is also important to recognize that drinking and driving is also generally illegal. Alcohol intoxication, which can be definitively determined by blood, breath or urine, can unfortunately impair even the most stable person’s normal faculties in multiple ways. Therefore, it is no surprise that this behavior also carries criminal consequences when mixed with driving. In addition, as marijuana becomes increasingly legalized throughout the country for medical use (and in some places other than Florida, even recreational), and as even some prescriptions can cause drug-related impairment, it is important to recognize that what violates the law in terms of impairment will almost certainly continue being expanded in the future.
What Signs Should I Look for that Suggest Another Driver Is Intoxicated?
Unfortunately, anyone can find themselves on the road beside a drunk driver at any given time on any day. However, understanding the signs that indicate a driver is intoxicated can help you avoid having a collision unexpectedly, especially on weekends, at night, and around holidays when you are most likely to encounter them on the road. Understand that drunk drivers typically exhibit signs such as:
- Swerving in and out of lanes and off the road altogether
- Narrowly avoiding hitting other vehicles, guardrails, or curbs
- Driving under the speed limit
- Obvious and frequent acceleration and deceleration
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Having headlights turned off
- Abruptly and frequently hitting brakes
We Can Help You Evaluate Your Next Steps
If you suspect that another driver is intoxicated, make sure that you put as much space as possible between that person and your vehicle. If you can do so safely, try to note the color, make, model, and license plate of the vehicle. When you can, stop driving and call 9-1-1 to report the vehicle to authorities. And if you find yourself injured, you should take a moment to contact an experienced personal injury attorney after obtaining the medical help you need. As the experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm, we are here to support you in pursuing the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-scooter-death-dui-trial-20200316-5l3nrnu37fbwvkvyzywoiejtuu-story.html
https://www.pendaslaw.com/helping-teen-drivers-stay-safe-on-the-road-this-summer/
