How to handle a drunk driver

What should you do when faced with a drunk driver on the road? What about when a friend or family member wants to drive after having a few too many? According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the chances of being involved in an alcohol-related crash are one in six. Read over some tips below on how to handle drunk drivers and help reduce the number of crashes.

If you’re not on the road

• Take the keys The easiest way to prevent drunk driving is to take the car out of the equation. If possible, take the vehicle keys from anyone who is under the influence. Provide a safe space for people to eat, sleep, and sober up.
• Call a ride If you are not able to take their keys or provide a safe space, offer to drive them to their home or somewhere else where they can sober up. You can also offer to call a taxi, Uber, or another ride-sharing service.
• Call the police If you can’t prevent a person from driving drunk, call the police. Give them the location of the driver and any other information you can remember, such as a vehicle description, license plate number, or driver description. Do not try to follow the driver in your own vehicle or engage them on the road.

If you’re on the road

• Do not engage The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t attempt to communicate with, stop, or otherwise interact with the drunk driver. Keep yourself and any passengers safe before taking steps to alert the police.
• Call the police Contact the police and tell them that you suspect a driver is drunk. Signs of this include repeatedly swerving, speeding up and slowing down intermittently, and erratic driving. Give the police the current location of the driver.
• Collect more information If it won’t jeopardize your or anyone else’s safety, you can also collect more information. Vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers, and dashboard recordings are all helpful. If you have a passenger with you, ask them to take pictures or video. Hand over any evidence to the police.

Drunk driving is a serious safety concern for everyone involved, and Virginia prides itself on having some of the strictest impaired driving laws in the nation. Hopefully, some of these tips can help you if you’re faced with a situation involving a drunk driver. Remember to always stay safe, on or off the road. If you or someone you know is involved in an alcohol-related crash, call the Brothers in Law at (757) 599-6050 for a free consultation.