Every day drunk drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel, endangering other drivers, pedestrians and themselves. But what actions should you take after spotting a suspected impaired driver?

Here's some advice, provided by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), you may want to pass along to fleet drivers:

  • First, stay as far away from the other vehicle as possible.
  • Second, do not try to pass the vehicle or signal the driver to pull over. Doing so could result in a collision.
  • Third, take notice of the license plate number, along with details of the vehicle including make, model and color. However, make sure you don’t compromise your own safety trying to obtain this information. 
  • Finally, pull over and call 911. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road or cross streets and the direction the vehicle is traveling. Give a complete description of the vehicle and the manner in which it is being driven. Then leave the rest up to law enforcement.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the following clues can help motorists detect a drunk driver:

  • Weaving/swerving in and out of the lane
  • Weaving within the lane quite noticeably
  • Traveling at speeds much slower than the flow of traffic
  • Braking erratically or stopping in the lane
  • Sudden stops for signal lights and slow starts once they change
  • Remaining at the signal lights once they turn green – asleep at the wheel
  • Making wide turns or cutting the corner striking the curb
  • Headlights off at night or on high beams
  • Driving with the turn signals on
  • Straddling the center line of the road or lane lines
  • The driver looks intoxicated – starring straight ahead, face close to the windshield, or appears to be quite sleepy
  • Aggressive driving – speeding, tailgating and multiple lane changes or unsafe passing may be telltale signs of intoxication.

Some states are finding new ways to encourage motorists to report suspected impaired drivers. To learn about a Kentucky phone app introduced in late 2013, click here or click on the photo above.

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