Drunk driving is a scourge on America’s roads. Around 40% of driving-related injuries are caused by alcohol consumption and driving whilst intoxicated and around 30 people die on America’s roads each day as a result of drunk drivers. Despite the grave consequences and harsh punishments, many Americans still risk getting behind the wheel after an evening of drinking.
These are the most common types of accidents drunk drivers are involved in, which offers some insight into why drunk drivers cause such a large number of fatalities and why when alcohol is involved, the injuries are often much more severe.
For more information on alcohol-related accidents and the legal implications and options, visit: https://derricklawfirm.com/library/myrtle-beach-car-accident-attorney.cfm
Head-on Collisions
The majority of drunk driver collisions occur when the driver has fallen asleep at the wheel. This usually results in the vehicle swerving into oncoming traffic with deadly results. Even when the driver is awake, alcohol consumption limits an individual’s vision, often leading them to swerve across the road, which can lead to head-on collisions.
Rear-End Collisions
Another effect of alcohol consumption is an inability to judge speed and distances accurately. This can often lead to rear-end collisions. Usually, the drunk driver will hit another vehicle from behind when approaching traffic lights or intersections.
Sign-Related Incidents
Because a driver’s vision is drastically impaired after they have consumed alcohol, the margin for error when reading signs is greatly increased. Drunk drivers may misinterpret signs or totally miss them, which can lead to dangerous traffic violations.
The most common sign-related incident is a failure to stop at a stop sign. In many cases, this can lead to a nasty collision and significant damage to both vehicle and person. However, in more extreme cases, drunk drivers have missed one-way signs and caused huge wrecks by driving the wrong way down a one-way street or even driving the wrong way down the highway.
Pedestrian Collisions
Unfortunately, drunk drivers are often responsible for pedestrian collisions, which are often among the deadliest form of road traffic accidents. Given a pedestrian’s lack of protection from a vehicle, these collisions usually result in the most extensive and fatal injuries.
There are a number of factors that make drunk drivers more likely to hit a pedestrian. Firstly, as a driver’s special awareness and ability to follow a straight path are significantly diminished by alcohol, drivers can swerve off the road and onto the sidewalk, with fatal consequences.
Additionally, driving at night with pedestrians wearing dark clothes can make them difficult to see at the best of times. But when a driver has been drinking alcohol, dark-coloured pedestrian clothing makes them near impossible to see at night. This also increases the opportunity for collision.
Even in cases where there are no other vehicles or pedestrians involved, drunk drivers can do extensive damage to themselves and their vehicle. Among the most common excuse for drink driving is that the driver was on a remote road and did not expect to encounter much traffic. However, in these cases, ditches, trees, power lines, and even buildings become a potential hazard to the driver.
The safest way to avoid collision is by not getting behind the wheel after ingesting any alcohol.
