Drunk drivers in Maryland refer to non-commercial motorists who drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more. They also include commercial drivers and under-21s with blood alcohol levels of 0.04 and 0.02 or more. Drunk motorists cause a lot of havoc on Maryland’s highways. If a drunk driver causes your auto crash, a Baltimore personal injury attorney can help you fight for justice.

According to the CDC, alcohol-impaired driving accidents accounted for 28% of US traffic-related fatalities in 2016. The report also stated that 17% of traffic deaths among children aged 0 to 14 involved a drunk driver. In a report from NHTSA, 28 people in the USA die in drunk-driving accidents every day. Many times, when victims in such crashes survive, they have to deal with severe or long-term devastating injuries.

So, while an attorney can secure compensation for you, you must avoid drunk drivers as much as possible. To do that, you must learn how to spot and avoid them on Maryland’s highways. We’ll show you how to achieve those in this article.

Can I Help to Prevent Someone From Impaired Driving?

Reducing the number of drunk drivers on Maryland’s roads starts with you and your friends. So, ensure that you don’t put yourself in a position to drink and drive. In the same way, you must learn to hold your friends, family, and loved ones accountable for their actions.

To that end, you can do the following to stop someone else from driving under the influence of  alcohol:

• Suggest Alternative Methods to Reach Their Destinations 

You can ask a sober friend to drive, order rideshare, or ask them to use public transport services. You may even ask that they sleepover at your place.

When talking to drunk people, try to be as gentle as possible. Slowly and calmly explain the dangers of impaired driving to them.

• Seek Moral Support

It’s much easier to prevent a drunk friend from driving when you have two or more other friends supporting you.

• Call the Police 

If your drunk friend remains adamant, call law enforcement. They will know how to handle the situation.

How Can You Recognize Drunk Driving on the Highway?

Impaired motorists can’t make good judgment calls on the road due to alcohol’s adverse effects on their brains. From dangerously flaunting traffic rules and regulations to erratic driving, here are some ways to spot a drunk driver:

• Tailgating
• Unnecessary swerving and abrupt lane changes
• Reckless speeding or driving too slow
• Sudden and unexpected stops
• Driving zigzaggedly
• Disregarding traffic signals or responding to them slowly
• Making weird signals
• Driving on curbs and other places prohibited for motorists
• Nearly hitting pedestrians, and objects on the road
• Engaging in any other form of reckless driving

What to Do If You Spot a Drunk Driver on Maryland Roads 

Impaired driving is dangerous for the driver and other road users. To keep yourself and others safe, do the following once you spot a drunk driver:

• Pull Over and Keep Safe 

Put your safety first by pulling off the road to somewhere safe. Stay as far away from them as possible. When you put yourself out of harm’s way, you’re in a better position to help other drivers.

• Don’t Try to Stop Them 

A drunk person is erratic and prone to aggressive behaviors. So, it’s best to avoid confronting them or calling for their attention.

• Take Note of Essential Details 

Document any details that can help to identify the drunk driver later on. That includes the license plate number, the vehicle’s color, make, and model, etc.

• Dial 911

After documenting all the necessary information, call law enforcement. You can do this by dialing 911. When you do, give the responders the drunk drivers’ details.

What If a Drunk Driver Caused My Accident?

If a drunk driver crashes into your vehicle, don’t panic. Instead,  move to safety and call 911 for emergency medical assistance and to notify the police.

After that, take pictures and make videos of the accident scene. If you can, interview witnesses that present at the crash site. Lastly, call your car accident lawyer for more instructions on what to do next.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers at Pinder Plotkin LLC Now!

If a drunk driver caused your car accident injuries in Maryland, our auto crash attorneys are available for you. We are with you every step of the way and will ensure speedy justice in your case. Contact us for a free case review immediately. We’ll be glad to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.