5 telltale signs of drunk driving in Albuquerque 

Albuquerque, NM – Every single day there are around 300,000 drunk drivers on US roads, but only less than 1% get caught. Usually when they’re involved in an accident. Unfortunately, New Mexico has one of the highest DWI severity scores in the US. According to a recent report, New Mexico had 289 arrests per 100,000 drivers and the fourth-highest rate of drunk driving fatalities in the US with 5.74 deaths per 100,000 people. Most drunk driving accidents occur in and around big cities, like Albuquerque, which have large populations and an equally large number of bars and restaurants. 

If you’re ever involved in this type of accident, you should contact experienced Albuquerque drunk driving accident lawyers to protect your rights and make sure you recover the damages you deserve.

How to spot a drunk driver

With so many impaired drivers on the roads, it is important to spot them and try to avoid an accident. Numerous studies indicate certain telltale signs allow you to spot a drunk driver miles away or at least early enough to stay out of their way.

Swerving

This is what police officers look for when they’re on patrol – drivers who have trouble driving in a straight line because they cannot focus on the road in front of them.

Hugging the center line

Make no mistake, most drunk drivers know their unfit to drive and may betray themselves by swerving. This is why many try to keep to the center line in an effort to maintain a straight line to avoid attracting suspicion.

Driving too fast or too slow

Some drunk drivers think that if they drive slowly they can make it home without betraying themselves. While this is still not OK, it’s definitely safer than driving too fast to get home as quickly as possible. Drunk driving and speeding are often a lethal combination.

Tailgating

There are two explanations behind this type of driving. For one thing, a drunk driver will follow another car to appear like they’re OK, just another guy on the road, nothing to see there. On the other hand, a severely impaired driver has difficulty estimating the distance between his car and the one in front.

Ignoring road signs and traffic laws

A driver who can barely see the road in front of him will hardly notice road signs or red lights. At the same time, you cannot expect a drunk driver to bother to turn on the headlights or signal a turn correctly. If you see this type of behavior on the road, stay away from that car.

How to tell the driver that hit you is drunk

If you’re in an accident always take a good look at the other driver. Sometimes you can smell the alcohol on their breath and so will the police. Always make sure to call the police if the other driver seems drunk, even if you don’t think you were seriously injured. You never know.

Drunk drivers can also be identified by their glassy look or their slurred speech. If the driver hurriedly puts some eye drops in his eyes, you’re probably facing a repeat offender who’s learned a few tricks. Or the drunk driver may be gulping down on coffee or stuffing gum in their mouth to hide the smell of alcohol. 

When the police arrive on the scene, tell the officer what you saw. 

If there are other people present, get their names and contact info. Your Albuquerque accident lawyers may need to take their statements when they prepare your case. 

Another important thing – don’t get distracted by the fact that the other driver was drunk. You still need to prove the accident was their fault. Take pictures of the crash scene, which may be very useful if your lawyers bring in accident reconstruction experts.

Attorneys Near Me

If you’re looking for an accident lawyer or need professional help with other legal matters, you may be wondering “Where can I find Attorneys Near Me?” Don’t worry, help is just a few clicks away. Just follow the link to go to the extensive database on usattorneys.com. Select the legal area you’re interested in, your state and your city, and schedule a free consultation with a trustworthy lawyer in your area.  

Source: Study indicates New Mexico has high DUI severity score in the United States