Wally Burbage & Associates Insurance

The roads are filled this season with people heading to holiday parties, families visiting loved ones and revelers making the rounds on New Year’s Eve. It’s a time for fun but safety never takes a back seat to any holiday event. As police ramp up patrols for drivers under the influence of alcohol, it’s important for everyone to understand the dangers of driving while intoxicated and what you can do to prevent a tragedy from happening on the road.

Please take a moment to read the following warning signs for spotting a drunk driver on the road:

• Straddling lanes or driving on the center line
• Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway
• Driving with headlights off at night
• Erratic braking or stopping without cause
• Driving below the speed limit
• Slow response to traffic signals (sudden stop, delayed start)
• Nearly striking an object, curb, etc
• Weaving or zigzagging across the road
• Driving on the wrong side of the road or completely off the roadway
• Tailgating

To protect families from drunk drivers over the holidays and year-round, here are some potential life-saving tips from Allstate and the National Safety Council:

• Don’t ever drink and drive. If you know you will be drinking alcohol, use a designated driver or public transportation. At New Year’s parties, distribute cards with phone numbers of local taxi services and have non-alcoholic champagne available.
• If you spot an impaired driver on the highway, maintain a safe following distance and don’t attempt to pass.
• Report a suspected drunk driver immediately to area law enforcement from your car phone or a pay phone. Give police as much information (i.e., license plate number, make, model and color of vehicle, direction vehicle is traveling, physical description of driver) as possible. Do not try and stop the vehicle.
• Make sure children are properly fastened in seatbelts or child safety seats in the back seat every time they ride in a car. Six out of ten children killed in crashes are not restrained. Children age 12 and under should always ride in the back seat, especially in vehicles with air bags.
• Allow enough travel time for frequent breaks on longer trips. Drowsiness can reduce reaction time almost as much as drinking.

“Drunk drivers unfortunately share the road with you and your family,” said Allstate spokesman John Heid. “Even if you never drink and drive, you can help save lives by being a responsible party host, preventing friends and acquaintances from driving drunk, and reporting suspicious drivers.”

For more information on safe driving tips or auto insurance, contact our office at

843-766-1221 or 843-881-1921.