Drunk drivers are unfortunately everywhere, and as much as we wish they’d stay off of our roads, they are inevitable. It’s important that you keep yourself and your passengers as safe as you can when driving. While we may not be able to stop all drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel, we can try our best to avoid them. According to MADD, there are fifteen signs that a fellow driver may be intoxicated:
- They are tailgating you or others.
- They are quickly accelerating and/or decelerating.
- They almost strike or strike objects, curbs or other vehicles.
- They are swerving.
- They are driving slower than 10 MPH below the posted speed limit.
- They are driving into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.
- They are weaving in and out of traffic.
- They are driving in places not intended for vehicles.
- They are stopping suddenly for no reason or braking eratically.
- They are drifting in and out of traffic lanes.
- They are not signaling or signaling improperly.
- They are displaying slow response to traffic signals.
- They are straddling the center lane marker.
- Their headlights are not on in the night.
- They are turning abruptly or illegally.
If you think that a driver is intoxicated, you should get yourself as far away from their vehicle as possible. Do not try to pass them. If it is safe to do so, make not of their license plate number, as well as the details of their vehicle (make, model, color). After you have done the following, pull over to a safe place and call 911. Report the location of the vehicle and the direction they are travelling. Make sure to PUT YOUR SAFETY FIRST!