What Do I Do if I See a Drunk Driver?

Drunk driving is a serious problem here in North Carolina and across the entire United States. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 50 minutes in the United States as a result of drunk driving. This is why the penalties for drunk driving are so severe across the country. It is important to be able to recognize a drunk driver if you see one.

One of the more common signs of a drunk driver is erratic driving. The person in question may be driving far below the speed limit due to an inability to control the car. They may also be swerving between lanes using turn signals incorrectly. If you believe that you see a drunk driver, you should first ensure that you are not in direct danger of being hit by him or her.

Next, it is helpful to gather as many details about the car and driver as possible, so long as this does not put you in danger. If you can get the license plate of the car in question that is most helpful. Any identifying characteristics, such as its make, model, color, or any oddities like smashed bumpers or broken windows should be noted.

Once you have this information, call 911. You will be able to provide all of this to the dispatcher, and they in turn will send out the police. Make sure that you inform the dispatcher of your current location and where you believe the potentially-drunk driver is headed.

This will help get the drunk driver off the road and keep our highways safe.