The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that every day almost 29 people in the United States die in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes; this equates to one person every 50 minutes, according to 2016 data. In 2017, Florida Uniform Traffic Citation Statistics showed that the following combined driving under the influence (DUI) citations were issued by the Florida Highway Patrol, city police departments, and other authorities in our three-county area:

Charlotte County – 430

Collier County – 1,001

Lee County – 2,246 

“Alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers are a danger to our community and need to be stopped,” said Fort Myers DUI Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. “If you encounter an impaired driver, there are things you can do to protect yourself and others on our roads.” 

National General Insurance says drivers can recognize an impaired driver by the following signs:

• Failure to turn on headlights at night
• Illegal or sudden turning
• Turning within an unusually wide radius
• Nearly striking other cars or objects
• Sudden or erratic braking
• Drifting, swerving or weaving
• Driving with the face close to the windshield
• Drinking alcohol in the vehicle
• Driving much slower than the posted speed limit
• Rapidly accelerating
• Tailgating
• Driving in the middle of the road, or with the left tires on the center line
• Responding slowly to traffic signals 

In a Naples Daily News article, dated August 13, 2018, reporter Katherine Hamilton asked the question: “How do you spot a drunken driver?” Naples Lieutenant Seth Finman answered the question: “People can basically do the same thing as police officers do. If they see somebody that is weaving within their lane or outside of their lane, they should back off and stay away from that vehicle. It’s just common sense. Most drivers have the tendency to speed around someone swerving or driving erratically, but the safest thing to do is to distance yourself from the driver. Call law enforcement 9-1-1; if possible, write down the tag number or at least a partial number from the license plate, and call with a location.” 

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. see the devastation caused by impaired drivers. Please contact us if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of an impaired driver. We are available 24/7 to assist you,” said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.