Tips for Spotting a Drunk Driver

Drunk driving is a prominent threat on Texas’ roadways. It is one of the most common causes of fatal accidents throughout the U.S. In 2018, 940 Texans lost their lives in accidents involving drivers under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving accounted for more than one-fourth (26%) of the total number of people killed in traffic accidents in Texas in 2018. You may not have the power to prevent other drivers from driving drunk, but you may be able to avoid a serious accident by looking out for common signs of an intoxicated driver.

Weaving or Zigzagging

Alcohol can impair most facilities necessary for operating a motor vehicle, including the ability to drive in a straight line. Drunk drivers may experience dizziness, blurred vision or fatigue, increasing the odds of the vehicle weaving, swerving or zigzagging around the road. If you notice a driver who is unable to stay in his or her lane, it could be a sign of drunk driving. Consistently hitting the rumble strips, cutting people off, making unsafe lane changes, or drifting in and out of lanes are also possible signs of an intoxicated driver.

Excessive Speeding or Racing

Drunk driving also impairs judgment. This can lead to reckless and dangerous behaviors for some drivers. Drunk drivers are more likely to engage in reckless driving habits such as excessive speeding, racing other drivers, driving without headlights, wrong-way driving, running red lights, rolling through stop signs and tailgating. Aggressive behaviors behind the wheel paired with unsafe driving could point to a driver under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Driving Too Slow

Just as driving impaired could make some drivers do dangerous things such as speeding, other drivers may overcompensate for their intoxicated state by driving excessively slowly. A driver going unreasonably slow could be a sign that he or she is trying to avoid suspicion by not speeding. The driver may also be too drunk to be aware of the speed at which he or she is traveling. The vehicle may feel like it is going faster than it is to a dizzy or confused drunk driver.

Random Stopping and Starting

Many drunk drivers experience fatigue, causing them to doze off behind the wheel. You may notice signs of this happening if a driver keeps abruptly hitting the brakes or accelerating erratically. A driver stopped for a long time at a red light or stop sign could also mean he or she has fallen asleep behind the wheel. A drowsy drunk driver may also drive off the road, drift between lanes or drive too closely to other vehicles. You might also spot the driver falling asleep behind the wheel when pulled up next to him or her at a stop.

Breaking Roadway Rules

Even a sober driver may unintentionally break the occasional roadway rule, but a driver who appears to be breaking multiple rules could be under the influence. Look out for drivers who do not use their turn signals, yield the right-of-way, or stop at stop signs and red lights. Other broken rules, such as speeding, making illegal turns and driving the wrong way on a one-way street could also be signs of intoxication.

Late Night Drivers

In Texas in 2018, more drunk driving accidents occurred from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. than any other hour of the day. More accidents also occurred on Saturdays than other days of the week. Try to stay off the roads in Texas at this hour and on Saturday nights to decrease the odds of encountering a drunk driver.

If you notice a drunk driver, keep a safe following distance and call the police. Dial 911 to report your suspicions right away. Give the police the alleged drunk driver’s license plate numbers and a description of the vehicle, but do not get close enough to put yourself at risk of a collision. Follow the officer’s directions for what to do next. Reporting a drunk driver could help keep the roads safe.