Drunk Drivers

[nystate]

Today I had my first (and hopefully my last) encounter with a drunk driver...it scared the sh*t out of me...these people are not only a danger to themselves, but they are a danger to anyone and everyone on the road at the same time...I was so angry and so scared at the same time...I just can't explain it...anyway, here's what happened-

I was driving home from Syracuse (an hour drive) on I-81 northbound. I was two cars behind a run down Ford Bronco, with the back window missing and no tags. I thought this was unusual, but I wasn't too worried about it...then he started swerving...he went all the way off the road to the left, and then swerved to the right, driving the truck in front of me off the road. Not once did he break or attempt to slow down. That wasn't all...still swerving from lane to lane, he started tailgating a smaller car about 10 car lengths in front of me. The car saw this and changed lanes just in time. The Bronco swerved to the right again, hit the guardrail, and bounced back into the road narrowly missing a car towing a boat. Even after he hit the guardrail, he didn't slow down! He kept driving, swerving from lane to lane. A few miles up the road, he almost hit an 18 wheeler, narrowly missing it...I decided to back off..I could still see him weaving during my whole trip home. I got off at my exit, and about 5 minutes later I noticed an ambulance heading towards the interstate...makes me wonder...it probably wasn't related to the driver, but still, if it is, it will probably be in the paper tomorrow.

Anyone else have any experiences like this??

[wx247]

I have no tolerance for drunk drivers. IMHO, they should be given time for their crime. They don't ever want me on a jury concerning alcohol or drugs.

Glad to know that you are okay nystate.

[JetMaxx]

Oh yeah....I once came in from work in Atlanta behind a drunk driver on I-20 for ten miles....this was at 2 a.m., and he just kept riding the guardrail, which kept sending a shower of sparks into the night sky.

When I reached my exit, I stopped and called 911...hopefully the deputies or GSP troopers got him off the road befor he either killed himself or some innocent folks.

I'm glad you are okay my friend

[Lindaloo]

Yes nystate I have had an experience. I was hit by a drunk driver. My best friend was killed and my sister badly injured. The drunk driver was driving a dump truck.

[JetMaxx]

Lindaloo brings up an interesting point...

While I've fortunately avoided an accident caused by a drunk driver (so far); my life has been touched by DUI..

Just this week I learned the 13 year old daughter of a former co-worker and friend of mine in Mississippi was killed by a drunk driver. In 1988, my oldest sister was on a date with her boyfriend when his car was t-boned by a drunk driver at an Atlanta intersection.

Becky suffered a chipped vertabra in her neck, a concussion, and sprained shoulder....and was lucky she didn't end up paralyzed (she was wearing her seat belt but the crash impact ripped her seat from the floorboard!!).

[Lindaloo]

Yes I can relate Perry! We were also wearing seatbelts but, you know, when you are in a sports car and broad sided by a dump truck there is little a seat belt can do for ya. Sherry was on the passenger side which was first impact. Her seat was also ripped apart. I can provide no further details.

[JetMaxx]

Lindaloo, I'm so very sorry

[ColdFront77]

This is the main reason why I am against drinking alcoholic beverages. A designated driver or not, the fluid still intoxicates oneself... why drink something that impairs your normal function?