The summer months are some of the worst times of the year for drunk driving, with 28% of all accidents happening between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That means that you should be especially careful when driving during the summer, and watch for drunk drivers who might be out on the road. Here are seven signs of drunk driving you should watch out for:

  1. Sudden acceleration or braking
    • A common sign of drunk driving is a driver suddenly accelerating or braking, rather than the gradual speed-up or slow-down that most other drivers do. This is due to their lack of coordination and reflexes, which causes them to react more abruptly to things than they normally would.
  2. Swerving between lanes
    • Another warning sign of drunk driving is when a driver swerves, drifts, or zig-zags between lanes. This is a sign that they do not have full control over their vehicle and cannot stay in a single lane, even if they want to.
  3. Windshield wipers on when it isn’t raining
    • One of the more surprising symptoms of drunk driving is having windshield wipers on when it isn’t raining. This is because drunk drivers suffer from blurred vision, which they may mistake for the effect of rain on their windshield.
  4. Headlights off at night
    • By the same token, you should beware any driver at night who is driving with their headlights off. Not only are they less likely to notice vehicles or people in front of them, they may also be drunk, as their intoxication makes them more likely to forget to turn their lights on.
  5. Driving on the curb or sidewalk
    • It should not be shocking to say that cars belong on the road, not on the sidewalk or curb. If someone is driving anywhere other than a road clearly intended for motor vehicles, there is a good chance they are drunk driving.
  6. Tailgating
    • Tailgating is when a vehicle fails to give enough space to the car in front of them to brake. While this can be a sign of a lot of things, including simple impatience, it can also be a sign of an impaired driver not realizing how close they are to the vehicle in front of them.
  7. Nearly hitting objects, vehicles, or people
    • For every drunk driving accident that results in serious injuries or deaths, there are countless potential accidents that drivers manage to barely avoid. As a result, you should beware anyone that nearly hits other vehicles or objects, because they may very well be impaired.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.