New York motorists who notice safety violations by drivers who may be drunk or otherwise impaired can report them. One of the most obvious signs is if the driver is actually drinking while behind the wheel, but there are also behaviors that are common to drunk drivers.
A motorist could be weaving or driving in the middle of the road, braking erratically, signaling randomly, turning too abruptly or widely or stopping for no reason, among other actions. To report a suspected drunk driver, people should try to give a full description, including the car’s color, license plate number, make and model. The vehicle’s location and in what direction the vehicle is headed should also be noted.
Motorists who notice a vehicle that is being driven erratically should prepare to react quickly and defensively. If a vehicle is coming straight at them, they should swerve right, flash the lights and honk the horn. Otherwise, they should avoid being near the drunk driver and should even pull off the road if necessary. People should never attempt to follow or confront a drunk driver. Avoiding rural roads and sticking to four-lane highways, wearing a seat belt, and not driving when fatigued or after drinking are all ways to stay safer.
Occupants of other vehicles who are injured in car accidents caused by drunk drivers may be eligible to receive compensation for their losses. If the drunk driver’s insurance company will not pay a sufficient compensation to cover an injured person’s expenses or the driver is uninsured, it might be advisable to file a civil lawsuit with the assistance of an experienced attorney.