How to Spot a Drunk Driver and Respond Appropriately

How to Spot a Drunk Driver and Respond Appropriately thumbnail
Spot a Drunk Driver and Respond Appropriately

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) findings, traffic accidents are the largest single cause of death for people ages 5 to 27, and almost 50 percent of these accidents are alcohol-related. Check out these guidelines for spotting drunk drivers; they follow the recommendations of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the NHTSA.

Things You'll Need

  • White Paper
  • Toy Phones
  • White paper
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Instructions

  1. Warning Signs

    • 1

      Watch out for cars that zigzag across lanes or make wide turns. Be wary of other erratic driving such as rapid braking and accelerating, or delayed responses to traffic signals.

    • 2

      Be alert to drivers who move in a straight line at an angle to the direction of the road or who swerve dangerously close to the curb or to objects along the road.

    • 3

      Look for cars that drive in two lanes at once or along the dividing line, or that drive on the wrong side of or even off the road.

    • 4

      Watch out for cars driving with headlights off at night, that drive 10 mph or more below the speed limit, or that follow you or others too closely.

    • 5

      Beware of drivers whose signals are inconsistent with their actions.

    What to Do

    • 6

      Stay clear of the suspected drunk driver.

    • 7

      Jot down the car's license plate number and vehicle description and call the police at 911 or *SP on your cellular phone. Report your location, the car's direction of travel and the driver's behavior.

    • 8

      Let the authorities handle the situation.

Tips & Warnings

  • Keep a pen and paper ready in your car to jot down information for this as well as other highway emergencies.

  • You risk injury to yourself and others if you try to pass the suspected drunk's car, or if you follow too closely or try to stop the driver yourself.

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