California’s Avoid DUI Enforcement Campaign
‘Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911’

Tips for Spotting & Reporting Suspected Drunk Drivers

How to Spot a Drunk Driver
The following clues can help motorists detect a drunk driver:

• Weaving/swerving in and out of the lane
• Weaving within the lane quite noticeably
• Travelling at speeds much slower than the flow of traffic
• Braking erratically or stopping in the lane
• Sudden stops for signal lights and slow start once they change
• Remaining at the signal lights once they turn green – asleep at the wheel
• Making wide turns and/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, and/or appears to by quite sleepy…
• Finally Aggressive driving – speed, tailgating and multiple lane changes or unsafe passing may be the tell-tale signs of intoxication

How to Report a Drunk Driver

1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver.  **You do not have to give your name.
2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver.  Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

Questions? click here for our FAQs

Note:  During heavy traffic period there could be delays in reaching the 9-1-1 operator on your cell Phone.  Be prepared, consider calling your local police or stay on the line with your information.

For more information, visit www.ots.ca.gov and www.californiaavoid.org