Thousands of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) citations and arrests are reported in Ohio each year. Toledo accounts for a concerning percentage of this number. Thus, your chances of sharing the road with an impaired driver are high.
Knowing how to spot a potentially drunk driver can help you avoid a serious collision. It’s a core defensive driving skill. Here are a few signs to look out for:
Impaired lane control
If a driver is unable to keep their vehicle safely centered in a single lane, they may be impaired. Weaving, swerving, drifting across lanes/onto the shoulder, unsafe/improper lane changing and straddling the center line are signs of a drunk driver. This is because alcohol impairs judgment, the brain’s ability to process visual information and motor skills.
Sudden acceleration and deceleration
An impaired driver finds it difficult to maintain steady speed. Accordingly, they often engage in sudden acceleration and deceleration as well as unnecessary braking.
A driver may do so because they are unable to judge distances; they can’t gauge how fast or slow they are going; they unintentionally press the accelerator instead of braking; or they realize they are not paying attention to the road and are overcompensating.
Vigilance problems
You can spot a driver with an impaired ability to maintain sustained attention and observe their surroundings. Examples of signs you may notice include driving at night without headlights, not using turn signals or leaving a signal on long after a turn/lane change, responding slowly to traffic signals, driving the wrong way, unnecessary stopping in the middle of the road and tailgating.
When you notice a potentially impaired driver, maintain a safe following distance, pull over if necessary and call 911 to protect other road users. If a drunk driver caused you to sustain injuries in an accident, learn more about your options.