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When you get behind the wheel you likely aren’t worried about crossing paths with a drunk driver. The sad fact of the matter is that they are everywhere despite the efforts of San Francisco law enforcement to curb this deadly problem. You must also realize that a driver can be impaired at any point throughout the day, not just at night when the bars close. Our San Francisco drunk driving accident attorney would like to explain to you how you can identify and report a suspected drunk driver in today’s post.

Be on the Lookout for the Warning Signs

A possible drunk or impaired driver will exhibit a host of warning signs in their driving habits. They might exhibit one big sign or a mix of smaller signs. You need to be on the lookout for these signs so that you know it’s time to maneuver your vehicle away from theirs and call 911. The signs you should be wary of include the following:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Riding the dividing line or shoulder
  • Driving on any surface not meant for vehicles
  • Taking too long to accelerate at an intersection
  • Hitting stationary objects
  • Driving without lights on at night
  • Sleeping behind the wheel
  • Constant or unexplained braking
  • Driving too slow for the conditions or posted speed limit
  • Stopping in the middle of the road

These are just a few signs of a possible drunk driver. These might also be the signs of a distracted driver. Both are dangerous to the rest of the motoring public because the driver is not focusing or is unable to focus on what is happening around them.

Move to Safety

If you are observing a vehicle near you exhibit any of the signs listed above you need to move to safety. This can be done by slowing down enough that the vehicle is well in front of you or you can exit the roadway. You could also speed up if the vehicle has been behind you. Just try to obtain some identifying information about the vehicle before moving out of its sight so that you can relay it to 911 dispatchers.

Report the Driver

Now it’s time to report the driver to 911. An emergency is one of those times where you can use a mobile device while driving but it’s still a good idea to go hands-free if possible. You need to give the dispatcher as much information as possible, starting with the fact that you believe you encountered a drunk driver. Explain what you witnessed so it can be relayed to the officers dispatched to the scene.

You will also need to provide the dispatcher with the following information:

  • Make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle
  • Last known location
  • A possible description of the driver
  • Any other information that could help officers locate the vehicle

Were you injured by a drunk driver? It’s time to speak with an experienced San Francisco drunk driving accident attorney about your case. Contact the team at Allegiance Law to schedule a consultation.

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