After a big night out, choosing to use the services of a rideshare company can be a safer option than risking getting behind the wheel or taking unsafe public transportation in New York. However, some passengers tend to let their guards down when using a rideshare vehicle, so they may miss the signs of an inebriated driver. This oversight can lead to dangerous situations. Some irresponsible and reckless rideshare drivers may while away the time by choosing to go under the influence. No matter the level of personal inebriation, passengers ought to be aware of the mental state of their rideshare drivers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that roughly a third of deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes involve drunk driving; more than 10,000 people were killed due to drunk drivers in 2017. Passengers are urged to recognize the signs of inebriation in their rideshare drivers and to report unsafe driving conditions to the rideshare company. These signs may include, but are not limited to:
- Sudden movements, such as swerving or erratic braking
- The smell of alcohol or drugs in the vehicle
- Slurred speech or an overly casual approach to driving
- Very wide turns or illegal turns
- Inability to remember directions or focus on reaching the destination
Drunk driving can hurt or kill not only the passengers within the vehicle, but pedestrians and other vehicle occupants on the road.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 16% of motor vehicle accidents involve the presence of drugs other than alcohol; in particular, marijuana use is increasing. Passengers ought to be aware of the signs of non-alcohol drug inebriation, as well. Delayed reaction time, minimal concentration and poor short-term memory can indicate this.