There is No Excuse to Drive Impaired

 

There is no excuse to drive impaired and I am hoping by writing this blog, it will shed some light on how impaired drivers are a serious risk to everyone on our roads.  As we are out driving, we always encounter reckless drivers. Most rant and rave when a driver cuts them off, forcing drivers to slam on their brakes, or when someone is so distracted that they cannot seem to stay within their own lane. Usually, most drivers react with annoyance, possibly making some gestures to let the driver know of their distaste in their driving skills before they continue on their way. I can’t help but wonder how many times we may be ignoring drivers, excusing them when they may be driving while intoxicated.

Surviving a Crash Caused by an Impaired Driver

I have connected with so many crash survivors that are recovering from a crash caused by an impaired driver and I have also connected with many that have lost a loved one(s) due to an impaired driver. As a creator of an online support group for survivors of motor vehicle crashes – Crash Support Network Group as well as a Fatal Crash Support Group, it is truly heartbreaking to read the struggles and frustrations that survivors are left to face during their recovery especially when they are recovering from a motor vehicle crash that was caused by an impaired driver. Time and time again, every time I turn on the news or scan social media, there are numerous drivers being charged with impaired driving.  Most recently, “The Ontario Provincial Police laid 346 impaired driving charges during the holidays from Dec 20 to Jan 3.”  What could possibly their excuse?

Drunk drivers are one of the most dangerous drivers on the road and unfortunately many people still choose to drink and drive. The tragedy in this is that serious life-altering injuries can take place as well as fatalities and those collisions could have been prevented if the driver had decided to refrain from driving. In the age of ride sharing options like Uber and Lyft, there is no excuse to get behind the wheel if you have had too much to drink.

What if You Suspect a Drunk Driver on the Road?

If you suspect that a car on the road is being operated by a person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the main objective is to keep yourself safe while finding a way to get them off the road. To report a drunk driver, you need to call 911 as soon as possible by using your hands free.  Let the operator know you want to report a suspected drunk driver. Give them the exact location of the vehicle and try to be as specific as possible. Your call to report a drunk driver could end up saving lives and preventing a serious crash.

Here are seven things to keep in mind when you spot an impaired driver:

• Stay far behind the suspected drunk driver.
• Get out of the way and expect the unexpected.
• Try to pay attention to the area where you are, direction of travel, description of their vehicle which could include the color and license plate.
• Do not try to pass the car.
• Do not try to stop the vehicle.
• Do not follow too closely.  The car may stop abruptly.
• Do not try to detain or confront the driver.  Wait for the police!

Drunk Drivers Are Not Just at Night

Although we imagine that most drunk driving cases happen late at night after consuming too many drinks at a bar or party, the reality is that a driver can be under the influence of alcohol at any time.  Years ago, I was in line at a drive-through to pick up an early dinner and I noticed the woman in front of me was alone in her car and seemed to have having difficulty.  At first, I thought she may have been having trouble deciding what to order as she was taking a long time but the more I watched her, it was clear to me that she was impaired.

I remember looking at the clock in my car and thinking to myself “it is only 2 in the afternoon, how is it possible that this woman could be impaired”?  I did not hesitate and took it upon myself to call the police and report her because even if she was not impaired, she could have been having a health issue and she was driving alone.  I gave them the location where she was as well as the make of her car and license plate as she began to swerve out of the parking lot.  I think a lot of drivers need to understand that it only takes a few minutes of your time to report a suspected impaired driver and the police do in fact take your call very seriously as there is no excuse to drive impaired.

Some of the signs to watch out for include:

• Drifting, weaving, or swerving on the road;
• Tailgating other vehicles;
• Driving in the middle or on the wrong side of the road;
• Failing to turn on headlights at night;
• Sudden unpredictable movements such as erratic braking;
• Reacting slowly to traffic signals;
• Accelerating or slowing down too quickly;
• Making a turn that is too wide;
• The driver appears to be drinking or positions their face close to the windshield, as if they can’t see;
• Disobeying traffic laws (running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign).

Tips to Keep in Mind to Stop Impaired Driving

Stopping a friend or family member from driving while intoxicated may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. If they are lucky, the friend or family member will listen to reason and do the safest thing. However, it is not always easy for an intoxicated person to understand the dangers that are involved to both themselves and drivers around them.

Here are some tips to keep in mind to prevent friends, colleagues and family from driving impaired:

• Make a plan – take alternate transportation; uber, taxi, public transportation, a ride to and from a location.
• Remain calm and as non-confrontational as possible if a heated exchange occurs.
• Speak slowly to the intoxicated person so they can understand the dangers and try to rationalize with them.
• Suggest a sleep over.
• If possible, take their car keys – do not be afraid to take someone’s keys.

Drunk drivers are a serious to risk to everyone on our roads, including themselves and there is no excuse to drive impaired. Learning to spot and avoid a drunk driver is an important part of keeping yourself and your loved ones safe, and we all share a responsibility to report them to the police. Impaired driving means operating a vehicle (including cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It is so important that we, as drivers, look out for one another and if you spot an impaired driver, please call the police and report them.   Ask any survivor of a motor vehicle crash caused by an impaired driver or someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one(s) due to a motor vehicle crash caused by an impaired driver and they will tell you that there is absolutely no excuse to drive impaired.  Ask any parent that has lost a child to an impaired driver and they will tell you that it is gut-wrenching devastation so next time you may suspect an impaired driver on the road, please make the call as a family’s life is depending on it.