What Should I Do If I See a Drunk Driver on the Road?

Saturday, October 2, 2021

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drunk driving results in the loss of approximately 29 lives every day in the United States. Drunken driving also costs American taxpayers about $44 billion every year and accounts for about 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the country. The best thing you can do as a driver to curb these statistics is to refrain from driving under the influence. You can also help prevent DUI-related accidents by knowing how to spot a drunk driver and what steps to take when you do.

Spotting a Drunk Driver

While you are more likely to encounter a drunk driver at night or over the weekend, the reality is that drunk drivers could be on the road at any time. Some of the warning signs of a drunk driver include:

  • Driving well below the speed limit or excessively speeding
  • Erratic maneuvers like swerving, sudden lane changes, or jerky steering motions
  • Sudden braking
  • Quick acceleration from a red light or stop sign
  • Driving without headlights at night
  • Running through stop signs or red lights
  • Swerving onto the shoulder or into opposing lanes

This is not an exhaustive list. It is vital for all drivers to be aware of vehicles displaying these or other worrying signs. If you notice a driver who appears to be intoxicated, it’s better to err on the side of caution and report the driver.

Reporting a Drunk Driver

A drunk driver on the road is an immediate hazard to everyone around him or her. You must call 911 to report a drunk driver as soon as it is safe to do so. You may also want to give your local police department a call to confirm its policy for reporting drunk drivers. Some areas offer tip lines for drivers to report unsafe behaviors while other local laws may require you to contact the police at their non-emergency number. However, if a drunk driver presents an immediate threat or causes an accident in front of you, call 911. If the drunk driver causes an accident resulting in severe injury or fatality a drunk driving accident attorney in Dallas can help get the victim and family compensation they deserve.
There are a few things to note about the car before calling, and you should pull over or park somewhere legal and safe to do so. Try to obtain the following information about the suspected drunk driver before calling the police:

  • The car’s color, make, and model
  • The license plate number
  • A description of the driver, if possible
  • The direction in which the driver was travelling
  • Notable landmarks or intersections near where you last saw the suspected drunk driver
  • A description of the driver’s behaviors

Once you provide the police with this information, a dispatcher will notify the patrolling officers in the area to keep an eye out for the suspected drunk driver. While it’s difficult to determine how often concerned citizens’ calls lead to arrests, it’s safe to say that many law enforcement officers throughout the country have successfully stopped drunk drivers before they hurt themselves or others thanks to the reports of other concerned drivers.

When a Drunk Driver Hits You

A drunk driver is highly likely to cause a serious accident, potentially injuring him or herself as well as others. Alcohol impairs judgment, makes it difficult to determine speed and distance, and hinders reaction time. Many DUI-related crashes happen at high speeds, resulting in death or serious injuries to those involved.
If a drunk driver hits you on the road, you’ll need to call 911 immediately to report the crash. The at-fault driver will face criminal charges for DUI, and you can recover compensation for your damages through a civil action against the at-fault driver. If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries and property damage due to a drunk driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your options for legal recourse.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 3:48 pm

Texas Laws About Prescription Drugs and Driving

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas does not only refer to driving after drinking alcohol. It also refers to the crime of drugged driving. Driving under the intoxicating influence of any drug – even prescription medications – is against the law in Texas. If you operate a motor vehicle after taking a prescription drug that interferes with your ability to safely drive in Texas, you could get a DWI and face substantial penalties. You could also cause a serious car accident and life-changing personal injuries. Be careful what you take before driving.

Texas Penal Code 49.04: DWI Law

Texas’ DWI law is found in Texas Penal Code 49.04. This law defines intoxication as the loss of the normal use of physical or mental faculties from any substance, including alcohol, drugs, dangerous drugs or a combination of substances. Intoxication also refers to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher. The loss of normal use of faculties could refer to significant changes, such as falling asleep behind the wheel, or smaller changes that still impact the ability to drive, such as impaired judgment and slowed reaction times.
Penal Code 49.10 goes on to say the defendant’s lawful use of a substance is not a defense to a DWI charge. It does not matter if a person is 21 and legally allowed to drink or if the driver had a prescription for the intoxicating drug. Driving under the influence of any substance that impacts a driver’s faculties meets the definition of the crime of DWI, regardless of whether the person lawfully consumed the substance. Having a legal right to consume a prescription medication does not give a patient the right to drive if the drug impairs his or her faculties.
According to Texas penal law, the crime of driving while intoxicated is a class B misdemeanor. The minimum jail term for a DWI is 72 hours. A DWI with an open container charge comes with a minimum confinement term of six days. DWI with a BAC of 0.15% or higher is a class A misdemeanor with a minimum confinement term of 30 days. Upon conviction of DWI, an individual will also need to pay $2,000 to $10,000 in fines depending on the level of the offense. Other punishments include community service and driver’s license suspension.

Dangerous Prescription Drugs for Drivers

Avoiding a DWI charge is a good reason not to drive intoxicated, but your top priority should be safety. Driving under the influence of a prescription drug that impairs your ability to safely drive could put yourself and others at risk of serious injury. If you cause an accident while under the influence, you could face even more severe criminal charges, such as intoxication manslaughter. Even if you did not realize a prescription drug would intoxicate you, you could be civilly liable for the car accident, injuries and deaths you caused behind the wheel. Avoid taking potentially intoxicating prescription medications if you know you need to drive.

  • Allergy medications
  • Antidepressants
  • Anxiety medications
  • Cold medicines
  • Cough syrups
  • Diet pills
  • Drugs containing codeine
  • Melatonin or sleeping pills
  • Painkillers
  • Stimulants
  • Tranquilizers

Ask your doctor how a prescription medication might impact your ability to drive. Read the possible side effects thoroughly. The first time you take a new drug, do not drive or operate heavy machinery. Find out how the drug affects you first. You may feel drowsy, disoriented, confused, anxious, stressed, dizzy, slow, nauseous or something else that could make it difficult to safely control your motor vehicle. Never combine alcohol with any prescription medication. When in doubt, stay home or arrange a safe ride to your destination rather than getting behind the wheel. You could prevent an accident and/or a DWI charge by not driving under the influence of a prescription drug.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 2:00 pm

What is Drowsy Driving?

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
The dangers that exist when behind the wheel are perilous and apparent; drunk and distracted driving garners much attention, and is something most drivers avoid themselves while remaining vigilant for it in others. One danger that we perhaps don’t pay enough attention to, however, is distracted driving, which, according to a AAA study, is just as likely to cause an accident as driving while intoxicated.

Fatigue Behind the Wheel

Lack of quality sleep can affect a lot of areas of your life, but driving is perhaps the most hazardous. Even if you’re awake, less than six hours of sleep per night can drastically increase your chances of being in an accident. Side effects of such little sleep include: Car Accident Liability
  • Impaired reaction time
  • Problems processing information and with short-term memory
  • Decreased performance and vigilance
  • Increased aggravation or short temper
If you’ve ever reached your destination and realized you don’t remember any of what you saw while driving there, yelled at another driver for a minor inconvenience or have felt yourself take an extra second to apply the brakes, this could be an indicator of lack of sleep. Fatigue cannot be measured or tested for after an accident like drunk driving can. It’s therefore tough to tell just how often driver fatigue is the main cause of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 2.5 percent of fatal car accidents involve drowsy driving. However, because of the difficulty estimating drowsiness, that number could actually be anywhere from 15 to 33 percent.

Drowsy Driving Statistics

Of 19 states surveyed in a 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 6.1 percent of Texas drivers reported falling asleep at the wheel within the past 30 days, the highest rate of any state. It’s unclear why Texas was the worst of the states surveyed, but it’s well above the national average of 4.2 percent. An interesting anomaly in the CDC study concluded that it’s not just how much sleep we’re getting, but how well we sleep. Those who get less than six hours of sleep and snore reported falling asleep at the wheel at a rate of 8.5 percent, compared to 5.2 percent for those who don’t. Getting the recommended amount of sleep is easier said than done, but it’s imperative to recognize the signs of a drowsy driver, whether it’s yourself or someone else. If you notice the driver appears fatigues, offer to drive for a while. If you feel sleepy behind the wheel, pull off the road and close your eyes for a few minutes. If you have taken a medicine that may cause drowsiness, don’t drive until you know how it affects you.
Posted by Aaron Herbert at 11:01 am