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Watch out for drunk drivers, especially on the weekends!

Many New Mexico residents work 40 to 60 hours per week. If you're one of them, you probably like to enjoy the weekends. Who can blame you? It's always nice to get together with friends and family to eat, drink and be merry. The problem is, many people include alcohol in their drinks then make irresponsible choices to drive after imbibing. If you're behind the wheel on a weekend in Rio Grande, Los Lunas or other regions, chances are there are drunk drivers in your midst.

There are typically several ways to avoid alcohol-related problems, whether you are a party host or a guest driving home afterward. If you plan to celebrate the weekend with others, it's best to research such options ahead of time to lower your risk of being involved in a drunk driving collision.

Keep these tips in mind

Even if you are an alert and cautious driver, other motorists in your vicinity may still place you at risk for injury if their driving skills are not up to par. The following ideas may help keep you and those you love safer when traveling by motor vehicle:

  • If you're hosting a party or attending one, it's a good idea to make sure there is plenty of food served alongside alcoholic beverages. Food consumption helps slow alcohol absorption in the bloodstream.
  • People who think ahead and designate other drivers who agree to abstain from alcohol save lives.
  • Choosing non-alcoholic drinks when planning to drive is always the easiest way to prevent drunk driving problems.
  • If you notice someone who appears to have had too much alcohol, try to make sure he or she does not drive.

Once you're already driving on the road, it's difficult to know whether other travelers nearby are intoxicated. There are sometimes signs that suggest as much, however. Knowing what to look for and where to turn for help if needed can help lower your accident risk.

Beware drivers who do these things

If you notice other drivers exhibiting any of the following behaviors, it might be a sign they are driving under the influence of alcohol:

  • If a driver makes far too wide of a turn, he or she might be impaired.
  • Any vehicle swaying side to side and crossing over the yellow traffic line signifies a driver who is not paying attention or may be driving after drinking alcohol.
  • A vehicle headed in the wrong direction on a highway places everyone in the area at risk. This is often a sign of a drunk driver.
  • If a motorist keeps applying brakes at random times, it may be a sign of intoxicated driving.

Hopefully, you can spot a possible drunk driver before tragedy occurs. It's not always possible, however, as many such accidents occur very suddenly and unexpectedly at intersections, merge areas or on the highway. If you're injured in a collision caused by a drunk driver, getting the help you need to attain as full a recovery as possible is of highest priority.

An experienced personal injury attorney can be a great asset in such situations. By advocating on your behalf, an attorney can help you get the medical care you need as well as pursue options for compensation for other damages related to a particular incident.

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