While we may never be able to completely stop drunk and impaired driving from happening in Georgia, and the devastating effects that drunk driving has on our communities, there are things that each of us can do to help reduce the risk of injuries and deaths in Georgia from drunk driving:
1.) Promptly Report Anyone Who Appears to be Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol, or Otherwise Impaired: People who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving exhibit some noticeable behaviors when behind the wheel such as: • Tailgating • Weaving in a lane • Erratic breaking, acceleration, and declaration • Hitting object, curbs, or other vehicles, or having “near misses” • Not signaling properly • Not having headlights on at night while driving • Slower response at traffic signals and signs such as slow starting, or sudden stops.
These are just to name a few. We have all seen them on the road and we do our best to stay out of their way. We can take this one step further, however, and take down the license plate of the driver, and contact 911 when we observe this type of erratic and abnormal behavior in a driver who might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so, may save a life. Remember, however, that is it very dangerous to try and stop the driver yourself. You do not want to put yourself at risk of a crash or conflict with this driver. Contact the police immediately so they can safely get this driver off of the road.
2.) To Discourage Future Accidents, go through the Legal Process to Punish Drunk and Impaired Drivers: If you have been struck by a drunk driver, then it is important that you follow through with the process of punishing this person. You can do this by Contacting Us and hiring a drunk driving accident attorney that will assist you in following through with the necessary steps to punish the drunk driver and hold this person responsible for their actions.
If you were injured in the accident, and it is found that this person was driving under the influence of drugs of alcohol, then you may be entitled to punitive damages in your case as well as the other damages you are allowed in vehicular accident cases. These punitive damages will not only help you, these damages will also discourage the person from ever driving impaired again.
3.) Following an Accident with an Impaired Driver, Support Taking Away that Person’s Driver’s License: Taking away the driver’s license of an impaired driver disrupts that person’s life and it makes a statement much more than spending a few more days in jail. The person who loses their license is inconvenienced every single day and is reminded every day of the negative consequences of driving while impaired. This can make a lasting impression that, hopefully, causes that person from never getting behind the wheel impaired again at any time in the future.
It is important that you let your Legislators know that you are in favor of this form of punishment. The more voices the law makers hear, the more likely that they will include this type of punishment into the law as punishment for driving while impaired and, again, further discouraging impaired driving.
We have more helpful hints about What To Do to Reduce the Number of Injuries and Deaths from Drunk and Impaired Driving in Georgia in post two as well.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk or impaired driving accident, then we are experts in these types of cases so Contact Us immediately by phone at either 770-865-8654, or (813) 363-6664, by email at juliericelaw@outlook.com, or Contact Us on the contact form on this blog or on our website. We are here to assist you!