Here are Some Tips to Recognize a Potential Drunk Driver

Recognizing a drunk driver is not always easy. Alcohol affects the central nervous system, impairing vision, coordination, judgment and reaction time. In an effort to make their driving appear normal, sometimes a drunk driver may overcompensate for their impaired functions and may actually appear as if they are just overly cautious drivers.

Signs that a driver may be drunk include:

• Overly wide turns
• Driving slower than the speed limit
• Driving over the center of the road or lane marker
• Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway
• Driving without headlights on at night
• Irregular braking or sudden stopping
• Delayed response to traffic signals
• Coming close to striking an object, curb, etc.
• Weaving or zigzagging across the road
• Driving on the wrong side or completely off the road
• Tailgating
• Visually appearing to be drunk (eye fixation, face close to windshield)
• Abruptly turning away or swerving from a generally straight course
• Illegally or abruptly turning
• Signaling that is at odds with driving actions
  

Should you identify a potential drunk driver, create a safe distance between you and his or her vehicle. Write down the license plate number, make and color of the vehicle, and the direction in which it is traveling, then call 911. Pull over safely before making the call if you are using your cell phone.

And almost as important as knowing what not to do is knowing what to do if you spot a drunk driver.

Do not:

• Try to stop the vehicle
• Disobey traffic signals or laws in an attempt to keep the driver in view
• Peruse the drunk driver too closely because they may stop suddenly
• Try to restrain the drunk driver if they stop
• Unless you are properly trained and authorized to perform that function, do not attempt to act in the capacity of any police, fire or medical person
• Attempt to help any law enforcement officer while they are apprehending a drunk driver
  

From birth through adulthood, Lowest Price Traffic School believes in making safety a priority. Over the past ten years, we've provided traffic school courses, learner permit classes, and other driver education resources to over two million customers nationwide.