Imagine this: You’re traveling down the road, and you come across a driver swerving all over the place. Furthermore, they’re braking erratically and ignoring the rules of the road.
While there are many reasons for this type of behavior, it’s possible that the person is under the influence of alcohol.
Your first instinct may be to take action, such as by getting the person’s attention and telling them to pull over. This can do more harm than good, so you’re better off taking these steps:
- Call 911: The dispatcher will ask you for more information on the emergency, giving you the opportunity to share specific details, such as what you’re seeing and your location.
- Provide a complete description: It’s difficult for police to locate the driver without a description of their vehicle. Make, model, color and license plate number are typically enough to give the authorities the best chance possible of finding the driver.
- Stay on the phone: Don’t hang up prematurely, as the dispatcher may have additional questions, such as the direction the person is driving.
If you suspect a drunk driver, it only takes a few minutes to report them. Doing so goes a long way in keeping the roads safe.
Even if you’re vigilant, you could still be injured in a drunk driving accident. If this happens, immediately check yourself for injuries and call 911. While the police take care of the intoxicated driver, you can receive transportation to a local hospital.
Once you’re recovering, you can file an insurance claim and seek ways to obtain compensation for the drunk driver’s negligence.
