subject: How To Protect Yourself From Drunk Drivers [print this page] We are well aware of the common signs of a drunk driver:swerving within the lane, driving on the shoulder of the road, and nearly hitting other objects- but what signs do we miss and what should we do if we see a suspected drunk driver on the road?
Here is a list of useful ways to identify drunk drivers...
Blatant signs of a Drunk Driver. Straddling the center lane marker - Often, intoxicated drivers are focused on the center line as a reference to steady their driving. Remaining near the center divider is a good clue that a driver is intoxicated.
2. Nearly hitting objects or passing at unsafe distances - Due to their blurry vision and slow reaction time drunk drivers have collisions or near-collisions with parked cars. telephone poles or mail boxes.
3. Swerving from side to side - Drunk drivers find their cars drifting as they drive due to their delayed reaction time and blurred vision - the drunk driver will over-correct when they find themselves drifting in the lane. If an individual is showing this type of behavior they are either driving under the influence or suffering fatigue and should not be driving.
4. Not driving within the lane- driving on the shoulder or wrong side of the street - A driver with this type of behavior is nearly a sure sign of drug abuse, intoxication or fatigue and is not safe to be around.
Not as obvious signs of intoxication
5. Making wide turns - While intoxicated drivers cannot judge distances and will overdue many basic maneuvers.
6. Driving slowly- 10mph or more under the posted speed limit - In an attempt to go undetected an intoxicated driver with drive with extra caution- if you notice a fellow motorist driving 10mph or more under the speed limit watch for other signs of intoxication.
7. Tailgating another vehicle - Tailgating could be a sign of an intoxicated driver staying close to the vehicle in front of them so they may focus on staying in their lane. The drivers reaction time, however, is considerably delayed and can result in a rear-end collision.
8. Over-Breaking or Frequent Breaking - Erratic breaking is often dismissed as a bad habit- but may actually be a paranoid drunk driver overreacting to the situation.
9. Driving without using headlights - This may actually be a drunk driver not sober enough to notice that he has difficulty seeing.
10. Inconsistent signaling- (ie. using a left signal when turning right)
11. Inappropriate stopping- (ie. Green lights, sidewalks with no pedestrians)
A lot of these signs often go unnoticed and we simply attribute them to an incompetent driver- mumble some disgruntled insults, go around them and continue on our journey. We will often even ignore the obvious cues that a driver has been drinking rather than reporting them to the local police. We try to get away from the driver- speeding and weaving to get as far ahead of them as possible. The proper way to deal with a suspected drunk driver is to not pass them- stay a safe distance behind the driver so as not to be involved in any collision and immediately contact the police.
