Help Police Stop Drunken Drivers

David J. Hanson, Ph.D.

You can help police catch drunken drivers and make the roads safer for everyone. Law enforcement officers can’t be everywhere at once but the cooperation of observant and concerned drivers can help them

Call 911 on your cell phone if you observe a driver who appears to be driving while intoxicated. Signs of possible impairment include any of these:

• Turning with a wide radius
• Straddling center of lane marker
• Appearing to be drunk (based on posture, gestures, etc.)
• Almost striking an object or vehicle
• Weaving
• Driving on other than designated highway
• Swerving
• Speed more than 10 mph below limit
• Stopping without cause in traffic lane
• Following too closely
• Drifting
• Driving with tires on center or lane marker
• Braking erratically
• Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
• Signaling inconsistent with driving actions
• Slow response to traffic signals
• Stopping inappropriately (other than in lane)
• Turning abruptly or illegally
• Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
• Driving with Headlights off at night

Be prepared to tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, description of the vehicle in question, and license plate number if possible. Under no circumstances should you attempt to stop or otherwise interfere with the driver.

Your action could save a life.