Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness

How to Spot a Drunk Driver

The following clues can help motorists detect a drunk driver:

• Weaving/swerving in and out of the lane
• Weaving within the lane quite noticeably
• Traveling at speeds much slower than the flow of traffic
• Braking erratically or stopping in the lane
• Sudden stops for signal lights and slow start once they change
• Remaining at the signal lights once they turn green – asleep at the wheel
• Making wide turns and/or cutting the corner striking the curb
• Headlights off at night or on high beams
• Driving with the turn signals on
• Straddling the center line of the road or lane lines
• The driver looks intoxicated – starring straight ahead, face close to the windshield, and/or appears to be quite sleepy
• Aggressive driving – speeding, tailgating and multiple lane changes or unsafe passing may be the tell-tale signs of intoxication

How to Report a Drunk Driver

The following signs can help you detect an impaired driver on the road:

• Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver.  You do not have to give your name.
• Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
• Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
• Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
• Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver.  Leave that to a law enforcement officer.