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More drunk driving accidents happen during the summer months than at any other time of year. As a result, while it is important to be on the lookout for drunk drivers year-round, it is especially important to watch out for drunk drivers during summer vacation in Florida. What do you need to know to keep your loved ones safe? Here are some tips from Lee County car accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey.

Tip #1: Avoid the Most Dangerous Times for DUI Accidents

Statistics show that DUI accidents are more common at some hours of the day than others. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than two-thirds of all DUI accidents happen after dark. Less than a third occur in broad daylight, with only small percentages occurring during the hours of dawn and dusk.

With this in mind, an important tip for keeping your loved ones safe from DUI accidents is to avoid driving after dark during the summer months when possible. As you might expect, as it gets later in the evening, the number of DUI accidents begins to rise before dropping off toward the early morning hours. Driving shortly after games for sporting events can be more dangerous as well, even when these games end during weekend afternoons.

Of course, some locations are more dangerous than others—and this brings us to Tip #2.

Tip #2: Avoid the Most Dangerous Locations for DUI Accidents

We understand that it might not be realistic to avoid driving after dark or on gameday afternoons completely, and while it is important to stay safe, it is also important to live your life. With this in mind, our second tip is to avoid the most dangerous locations for DUI accidents. For example, as it gets later in the evening or as the end of the fourth quarter approaches, you might want to avoid driving around the bars. If you can take an alternate route that avoids the busiest areas, this will help minimize your risk of encountering a drunk driver who is not capable of safely driving.

According to the NSC, more than half of all DUI accidents occur on arterial roadways, such as those in and around the city.. Notably, only about one in eight DUI accidents occur on the interstate. With that said, DUI accidents can—and do—happen anywhere, so it is important to be on the lookout for drunk drivers regardless of where you are driving.

Tip #3: Know the Telltale Signs of Drunk Driving

While alcohol consumption affects different people at different rates, it generally has the same effects on everyone. The more people drink, the less capable they are of maintaining control of their vehicles and avoiding dangerous situations on the road.

How can you spot a drunk driver? Here are 15 telltale signs of alcohol impairment from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD):

• Accelerating or decelerating quickly
• Braking erratically or unnecessarily
• Delayed response to traffic signals (i.e., slamming on the brakes at a red light or failing to accelerate when the light turns green)
• Drifting out of the driver’s lane
• Driving off of the road (i.e., on the shoulder or in a designated bicycle lane)
• Driving on the wrong side of the road or the wrong way on a one-way street
• Driving well above or below the speed limit
• Driving without headlights at night
• Failing to signal or using turn signals improperly
• Making illegal turns or other illegal maneuvers
• Straddling a lane line
• Striking a curb, signpost, parked vehicle, or other stationary object
• Swerving unnecessarily
• Tailgating
• Weaving between lanes or zig-zagging across the road

These are just several examples, and of course, these are not necessarily indicative of drunk driving. With this in mind, if you have any reason to suspect that a driver might be drunk, you should exercise caution. Additionally, even if a driver is not drunk, reckless, or erratic behavior behind the wheel is still dangerous, so you should avoid the driver if possible.

Tip #4: Give Potential Drunk Drivers Plenty of Buffer

If you encounter a suspected drunk driver on the road, what should you do? The short answer is that you should prioritize your (and your passengers’) safety. Even if this means slowing down, taking a different route or sitting through an extra red light, it will be worth it. Alcohol impairment makes drunk drivers unpredictable, so the best thing you can do is stay as far away as possible.

You can also report the suspected drunk driver to the police. As the Lee County Sheriff’s Office explains, “[t]he public is encouraged to call 911 to report a suspected drunk driver.” However, as the Lee County Sheriff’s Office also explains:

“[D]o not try to pursue the driver or place yourself in any danger. It is important to keep a safe distance from the suspected drunk driver.”

This means that you should not try to catch up to a drunk driver in order to read their license plate or identify the make and model of their vehicle. If you call the police, simply tell the dispatcher what you know, answer the dispatcher’s questions, and then follow any instructions the dispatcher provides.

Tip #5: Follow the Rules of the Road

One of the best ways you can protect your loved ones while driving is by following the rules of the road. Among other things, this means ensuring that you are always sober behind the wheel. If you are planning on drinking, give your keys to someone you trust, and make sure you and your loved ones have a safe ride home. Once you start drinking, you will not necessarily be able to make an informed decision about whether you are too drunk to drive, and it only takes one mistake to cause a lifetime of consequences.

Along with avoiding drinking and driving, you should also obey the speed limit and all traffic signs and signals. If you encounter a suspected drunk driver, do not run a red light or speed to get away, but instead turn or pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.

Tip #6: Do Not Try to Engage with a Drunk Driver

It is important never to try to engage with a drunk driver on the road. In almost all situations, this will only serve to make the situation even more dangerous than it already is. While you may be tempted to inquire about the driver’s condition (or give the driver a piece of your mind), the right thing to do is to keep a safe distance away. Instead of communicating with the driver yourself, leave this to the police. The police will be able to stop the drunk driver safely, and they will be able to handle the situation appropriately to ensure that the driver is held duly responsible.

Tip #7: Know What to Do After a DUI Accident 

Finally, it is important to know what to do if you are involved in a DUI accident. As with any type of car accident, the most important thing is to prioritize your safety and the safety of your passengers. Call 911 from the scene of the accident and wait for the police to arrive. If anyone needs medical attention, let the dispatcher know that you need an ambulance as well.

In this situation, you should also avoid interacting with the drunk driver. While it is normally a good idea to obtain the other driver’s insurance information after a collision, trying to communicate with a drunk driver can be dangerous—and you can rely on the police to obtain the drunk driver’s insurance information for you. If you are able to do so safely, you should document the accident scene by taking plenty of photos and videos with your phone, and then you should wait a safe distance from the road. Regardless of whether you need to ride to the hospital in an ambulance, you should seek medical treatment promptly, and you will want to speak with a Lee County car accident lawyer about filing a DUI accident claim as soon as possible.

We sincerely hope that following these safety tips will help you avoid being involved in a DUI accident this summer. But, if you are unfortunately hit by a drunk driver, we want you to know that we are here to help you seek proper compensation. If you need to know more about filing a claim after a DUI accident in Florida, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with Lee County car accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey today.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Lee County Car Accident Lawyer Randall L. Spivey

To schedule a free consultation with Lee County car accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 888-477-4839 or reach out online at SpiveyLaw.com. We will speak with you in confidence during a free consultation. There are no attorneys fees or costs until we recover money for you.