It is no surprise that one of the biggest causes of vehicular accidents in New Jersey is drunk or otherwise impaired drivers. Even if you are driving stone sober, that does not mean that you will not end up in an accident with somebody who is not. It is important to be able to recognize drunk drivers while you are on the road. However, if you do happen to recognize somebody is driving while impaired, it is also vital to know what to do. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the most important thing to keep in mind is your safety.
This means that you will want to stay as far away from the driver as possible. Particularly if the driver is controlling the vehicle in an erratic fashion, the closer you get to him or her the more likely it is that you will be injured. However, it is also a good idea to try and get as much information about the car as possible. Try to figure out the license plate number, make, model, and color of the car as well as any identifying characteristics like rust patches or broken windows.
Once you have this information, call 911. The police will want to get an inebriated driver off the road as soon as possible. It is also helpful to give your current location to the police and any information about where you believe the drunk driver may be headed. This will give the police a better chance to locate the inebriated driver and stop him or her.
Together, we can help ensure that New Jersey roads are a safe place to be.