How to Spot Impaired Drivers

The holiday season is the perfect time to reconnect with family and friends. However, Amica Insurance reminds everyone to celebrate responsibly and be alert for motorists who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. But alcohol isn’t the only problem. Drugs, even those prescribed by a physician, can impair a driver’s judgment and driving ability.

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That’s why, as part of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, Amica and MADD are sharing the following signs that a driver may be impaired:

• Quick acceleration or deceleration
• Erratic breaking
• Driving with headlights off at night
• Drifting in and out of lanes
• Swerving
• Slow response to traffic signals
• Signaling that is inconsistent with actions, like a left turn with the flashing of a right directional light

If you see someone who appears to be impaired, take down the license plate number, make, model and color of the vehicle. Pull over to a safe area and call 911 to give the police an exact location and direction that the car is headed.

Information submitted by Amica Insurance

Photo via Shutterstock

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