Spokane law enforcement recently responded to an accident when a sports utility vehicle collided with a power pole. After arriving at the scene of the accident, law enforcement found three children and a woman. Witnesses told law enforcement that a man was spotted walking away from the scene of the accident. Law enforcement later found the man and determined that both he and the woman were intoxicated at the time of the crash. 

Even though the woman told law enforcement that she was the driver, law enforcement realized that the man had been in the driver's seat after finding his hair in windshield debris. The woman was subsequently charged with providing false statements to law enforcement, while the man was charged with felony hit and run, reckless endangerment, and driving under the influence. 

After being taken to a nearby medical facility, the three children were taken to a nearby medical center. Law enforcement has since commented that this incident emphasizes the dangerous nature of driving under the influence. Perhaps even more shockingly, since the first of January 2020, law enforcement in Spokane has made over 60 driving under the influence arrests.

Statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control reveal that every 48 minutes, someone in the United States dies in a drunk driving accident. While most drivers understand that drunk drivers are a dangerous force on the road, fewer drivers understand what they can do to avoid ending up in a drunk driving accident. The following reviews some critical strategies you can follow to protect yourself from intoxicated drivers. 

Stay Vigilant While Passing Through Intersections

Drunk driving accidents commonly occur at intersections, where drunk drivers fail to obey posted signage. To reduce your chances of ending up in one of these accidents, it is a good idea to cautiously proceed through intersections. This should include going slowly and looking both ways.

Limit Late Night and Holiday Driving

There are two deadly times when the chance of ending up in a drunk driving accident increases substantially — late nights and holidays. If you can limit your driving during either late night or on holidays, you drastically reduce your chances of having your life forever changed by a drunk driver. 

Stay a Safe Distance From Other Vehicles

By maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles on the road, you can remain observant if someone on the road begins to drive erratically. If you notice a driver who is operating a vehicle in such a way, you should increase your distance from their car. It is also often a good idea in this situation to contact law enforcement and inform them about the driver's dangerous movements.

Speak With an Experienced DUI Attorney

Drunk driving presents a serious threat to motor vehicle drivers. To make matters worse, drunk driving accidents occur in many ways and in various locations throughout Spokane and the rest of the country. If you have been injured in one of these accidents and need the help of a car accident attorney, contact West Law Office  today.