HOW TO SPOT A DRUNK DRIVER
Imagine you are on the road driving home and you see someone driving erratically. What should you do? Think in advance about what your reactions will be in this situation. Following are some possible signs of drunk driving, as well as tips on what to do and what not to do. As soon as you see an erratic driver who you feel may be drunk, begin looking for a public building or convenience store where you could ask to make an emergency call. These tips can help keep you and others safe!
Possible Signs of Drunk
Driving
What To Do
What Not To Do
For More Information
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF DRUNK DRIVING:
Straddling center lane or lane marker.
Almost
striking and object or vehicle.
Taking
extremely wide turns.
Weaving
from one side of the road to the other.
Driving
on the wrong side of the road or on the shoulder.
Driving
at very slow speed - at least 10 mph below the limit.
Following
another car too closely.
Narrowly missing another car or object by passing
too closely.
Braking
erratically.
Driving
without headlights.
Signaling
inconsistently with what they are doing.
Stopping
inappropriately in places such as at green lights and crosswalks with no pedestrians,
etc.
Stay far behind the suspected drunk driver.
Get
out of the way and expect the unexpected.
Wear
your safety belt (and make sure that any children or other passengers have their
safety belts fastened as well) - It is one of your best defenses against a drunk
driver.
Stop
right away and look for a phone.
Report
suspected and impaired drivers to the state or local police by dialing 911 or
*SP on your cellular phone. Give the location, direction of travel, and description
of the car and driver's behavior.
Do
not try to pass the car!
Do
not try to stop the vehicle.
Do
not follow too closely. The car may stop abruptly.
Do
not attempt to act in the capacity of the police. Do not try to detain or confront
the driver. Call the police and let them take care of it!
If everyone made a commitment to give the police the information they need to find and arrest drunk drivers, it would be like every police officer had an extra set of eyes. Take a stand against drunk driving!
This information was compiled from the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information, contact Safe Roads at 413-585-1617. Safe Roads is funded by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau of Massachusetts.
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