An accident that killed three individuals and seriously injured two others occurred in the Spokane area recently when a motor vehicle drove off a cliff. While the cause of the accident has not yet been released, law enforcement has stated that alcohol and drugs were involved in the accident. This accident illustrates how important it is for people who ride in motor vehicles to take adequate steps to protect themselves from being involved in drunk driving accidents. Unfortunately, it is no longer enough to refuse to operate a motor vehicle because each year many sober drivers are impacted by drunk drivers. As a result, this article will review some additional steps that you can take to avoid being injured or even killed by a drunk driver.

Maintain a Safe Distance

Remaining the length of several vehicles away from other drivers can help you notice the erratic driving patterns of a motor vehicle operator before an accident occurs. Some of the signs to watch out for include vehicles maneuvering strangely, swerving, or unexpectedly slowing or speeding up. Not only should you stay a safe distance from vehicles that are driving in such a way, you should also make sure to contact law enforcement so the other driver can be stopped.

Offer to be a Designated Driver

Designated driving is the best way to avoid ending up in a drunk driving accident. By remaining sober and volunteering to drive friends home, you are taking steps to ensure that one less drunk driver is on the road. While becoming a designated driver might require some self-control, it is greatly outweighed by the feeling of having saved the lives of the passengers involved.

Use Caution at Intersections

A large number of drunk driving accidents occur at intersections because drunk drivers frequently fail to follow traffic signals or stop signs. This means that you should use a great deal of caution when proceeding through intersections, which includes looking both ways and yielding to any oncoming traffic.

Use Caution when Driving at Night

Avoid driving late at night whenever possible because you are much more likely to be involved in an accident during this time of day. Drivers are even more likely to end up being struck by a drunk driver during weekends. Instead, it is best to plan any driving that you might do to occur during the day.

Speak with an Experienced Accident Attorney

The danger of being injured or killed by a drunk driver in Spokane is a very real threat, which means that you should do whatever possible to avoid the chances of being killed by one of these drivers. These accidents are not limited to a particular type of road, time of day, or driver, which means that drunk driving accidents can occur anytime and anywhere. In addition to the steps mentioned above, it is also a wise idea to wear a seatbelt when operating your vehicle because this helps to reduce the risk of accidents.

Contact West Law Office today for assistance.