The Signs of Drunk Driving

According to the NHTSA there are 24 driving cues that may predict that a driver's blood alcohol content is .08 percent or greater. A police officer is trained to look for these signs, follow a vehicle that is showing the signs, and them pull them over and test for drunk driving.

Maintaining Proper Lane Position:

1. Weaving
2. Weaving Across Lane Lines
3. Straddling a Lane Line
4. Drifting
5. Swerving
6. Almost Striking an Object
7. Turning With a Wide Radius, or Drifting During a Curve

Speed and Braking:

8. Stopping Problems (Too Far, Too Short, Too Jerky)
9. Accelerating for no Reason
10. Varying Speed
11. Slow Speed

Vigilance Problems:

12. Driving Without Headlights at Night
13. Failure to Signal a Turn or Lane Change, or Signaling Inconsistently With Actions
14. Driving in Opposing Lanes or the Wrong Way on a One-Way Street
15. Slow Response to Traffic Signals
16. Slow or Failure to Respond to Officer's Signals
17. Stopping in the Lane for No Apparent Reason.

Judgment Problems:

18. Following Too Closely
19. Improper or Unsafe Lane Change
20. Illegal or Improper Turn (too fast, jerky, sharp, etc.)
21. Driving on Other than the Designated Roadway
22. Stopping Inappropriately in Response to an Officer
23. Inappropriate or Unusual Behavior
24. Appearing to Be Impaired.

After the Stop

After the officer has stopped the suspected drunk driver, he will watch for the following cues. This will help him determine if a DUI arrest should be made.

• Difficulty with Motor Vehicle Controls
• Difficulty Exiting the Vehicle
• Fumbling with Driver's License or Registration
• Repeating Questions or Comments
• Swaying, Unsteady, or Balance Problems
• Leaning on the Vehicle or Other Object
• Slurred Speech
• Slow to Respond to Officer/Officer Must Repeat Questions
• Provides Incorrect Information or Changes Answers
• Odor of Alcoholic Beverage from the Driver

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