To Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents, Know the Signs of Alcohol Impairment

You do not have to be ‘drunk’ behind the wheel to put yourself and others at risk for DUI-related car accidents. Any amount of alcohol can impact your driving abilities, causing physical impairments and making mistakes or errors in judgment more likely. Being aware of how even a couple of drinks may affect you and those you encounter on the roads is important to decrease the likelihood of serious crashes and collisions.   

Driver Shows Signs of Impairment In Portland Area Car Accident

A 21-year-old man was arrested July 28, 2018 after allegedly causing a fatal car accident near Portland. An accident report by KPTV/Fox 12 Oregon states that the single-vehicle crash occurred near the intersection of Southwest Farmington Road and Southwest Murray Boulevard in Beaverton, killing a passenger in the vehicle. The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Police later charged the driver with manslaughter for the crash, and said that he appeared to show ‘signs of impairment’ at the scene. A DUI investigation is underway.

In Oregon, as in other areas of the country, you can be arrested for driving under the influence if your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is .08 percent or greater. However, driving with even minor amounts of alcohol in your system is enough to put you and others at risk and could result in criminal charges, particularly if an accident does occur.

Signs of Alcohol Impairment

Even having one or two alcoholic drinks can lower your inhibitions while impairing your judgement, a dangerous combination behind the wheel. It can make you more likely to engage in reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, and running traffic signs or signals. (At the time of the above car accident, witnesses report that the aforementioned driver was traveling at an excessively high rate of speed.)

It can also have more subtle effects that impact your reaction times and reasoning skills. This makes you less likely to respond appropriately to situations that occur while driving, including those that require quick action to avoid a collision. To ensure drivers who may be a danger to themselves or others do not get behind the wheel, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission advises that you be aware of these subtle signs of impairment:  

• Sudden changes in attitude or behavior;
• Inability to focus;
• Poor eye/hand coordination;
• Rambling trains of thought;
• Acting more aggressively;
• Becoming extremely tired and having difficulty staying awake;
• Being disoriented and not remembering certain details.

Have You Been Injured in a DUI-Related Car Accident? Contact the Johnston Law Firm

DUI-related or DWI-related car accidents can leave you and those you love suffering serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. At the Johnston Law Firm, we help you hold drunk drivers responsible for their actions, so that you can get the compensation you need to recover. To request a consultation with our Portland car accident attorney to see how we can assist you, call (503) 546-3167 or contact the Johnston Law Firm online today.