Recognizing Signs of a Drunk Driver

 Posted on January 28,2019 in Drunk Driving Accidents

On January 21, a Markham woman fatally injured an off-duty Cook County Sheriff's deputy. The accident occurred when the 21-year-old woman was backing out on a busy street and crashed into the 33-year-old deputy’s vehicle. The deputy was quickly rushed to Christ Medical Center, but the medical team was unable to successfully treat his numerous injuries. As authorities arrived at the scene of the accident, the cause quickly became clear: the female driver was drunk and now faces multiple felony charges. 

Unfortunately, in Illinois and throughout the United States, drunk driving remains common. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), more than 300 Illinoisans died in accidents involving drunk drivers during a recent 12-month study. Still, strict enforcement of DUI laws has helped reduce inebriated driving deaths by 43 percent since 1997. 

If you believe a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could help someone avoid a dangerous motor vehicle collision by contacting law enforcement officials immediately. 

How to Identify Drunk Drivers 

In 2016, more than 10,000 Americans were killed in drunk driving accidents. Your ability to recognize the symptoms of drunk driving and contact law enforcement could save lives. If you notice a driver displaying possible drunk driving symptoms, keep a safe distance from the driver, cautiously pull over to the side of the road, and dial 911. 

Swerving Between Lanes

Patrol officers often view swerving between traffic lanes as a telltale sign of inebriated driving. If you notice a driver failing to remain in the proper lane, or consistently changing lanes without proper signaling, that driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Excessive Speed

Drunk drivers often travel at speeds over the speed limit. Driving at excessive speeds is a dangerous activity for all drivers, especially inebriated ones. Speeding is one of the most common causes of auto accidents, and officers appreciate civilian reports of a driver going way over the posted speed limit.

Falling Asleep While Driving

If you notice a driver falling in and out of sleep, or a motorist asleep at a stop light or intersection, they may be drunk. Drowsy driving can severely impact reaction time and steering ability, especially when under the influence of alcohol. 

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

In the state of Illinois, hundreds of people are killed due to the negligent and reckless actions of drunk drivers each year. If you or a member of your family is injured in a DUI or other motor vehicle collision, you and they deserve full compensation for injuries suffered. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., we pride ourselves on our ability to aggressively represent clients and help them get what they need to recover after a car accident. To schedule a free consultation with a Lake County personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources:

https://www.theherald-news.com/2017/08/19/drunk-driving-fatalities-down-in-20-years-since-illinois-dui-law/ahmpay7/

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/markham-woman-charged-with-dui-in-crash-that-killed-cook-county-sheriffs-deputy-504798432.html

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html