Recognizing a Drunk Driver

Nearly 1 in 3 traffic deaths in the United States are caused by drunk drivers. Driving while intoxicated is one of the most dangerous liabilities on the road. While Georgia law issues serious penalties for drunk drivers and ridesharing options are more accessible than ever before, drivers are still choosing to get behind the wheel after they’ve had too much to drink.

Do you know the laws surrounding drinking and driving in Georgia? The current legal blood alcohol limit in Georgia is .08% for adult drivers and drivers under age 21 are relegated to a zero-tolerance law that considers the underage driver to be over the legal limit at 0.02 grams percent. There are many factors that can influence your blood alcohol content, including your body weight. In general, you can calculate the number of drinks of a certain type and volume over time to estimate how many “standard” alcohol drinks would it would take for you to reach the GA legal limit alcohol number.

Signs a Driver is Intoxicated

As a driver sharing the road with those who’ve made poor decisions, it is important that you are aware of what drunk driving can look like. Recognizing a driver under the influence can help you “steer clear” of danger. In some cases, you may be able to prevent serious injuries by reporting the driver to authorities before an accident occurs.

It is common for drunk driving to occur late at night, when teens and adults are driving home after a party or other social gathering. However, drunk driving can happen at any time of day.  Stay alert and watch for the following signs of a drunk driver near you:

• Swerving or inability to stay in one lane
• Speeding or driving very slowly
• General reckless driving
• Sudden unpredictable movements (like braking suddenly, for no apparent reason)
• Tailgating
• Disobeying traffic laws (running a red light, failing to pause at a stop sign)

What to Do if You See a Drunk Driver

If you suspect that a car on the road is being operated by a person who is under the influence of alcohol, your first priority is to protect yourself. Pull off the road as soon as possible, and call the police. Be prepared to describe your location as well as the type, model and color of the car. This could be a call that saves lives!

What to Do if You are Hit by a Drunk Driver

If you have been injured in a car accident and have reason to believe that the driver at fault was intoxicated, contact the police and seek medical attention immediately. Your next step, however, should be contacting a qualified personal injury attorney. At Darrell T. Farr, we have a keen understanding of how to best represent victims of drunk driving accidents in Georgia. We will work relentlessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our Stockbridge attorneys now to schedule your initial consultation.