Question for cops - drunk drivers

[Repo]

At the risk of sparking a crap storm, I called in driver I was behind because I thought they might be drunk/high. Not looking for an attaboy or anything, usually I subscribe to the MYOB school of thought but I just have zero patience for drunk drivers. Thinking about it now I wonder if I was being a busybody?

They were doing 38 in a 50.
They where tapping their brakes a lot.
Not using turn signals at all.
They came to a complete stop at a flashing yellow yield light for no good reason. Actually it's not even a yeild light, it's a warning light where there have been a lot of crashes, you have the right of way, most people ignore it completely.
It was 1am on friday.
It was a teenager/********* type car that would normally be doing 50-60 on this road.

I was going to simply pass them but something didnt feel right so I called it in. But maybe they were just old, lost or unfamiliar with the area? They were otherwise driving straight.

But my question to cops is what are the flags that tip you off the most to a DD? Obviously swerving around the road and stuff, but are their more subtle things that you see DD do a lot that flag your attention, which a regular driver like me might not notice?

Like for example I have heard that slow driving is often a sign of a DD, because they are trying so hard not to look drunk.

[txpaladin]

Back in the day when I was a leo, certain times of night saw high dui traffic. 9:00, 11:00, 1:00 I think saw the most. So that with the others mentioned, I'd call it in for sure.

[Montourage]

You have to trust your instincts. I've only called once while on the interstate and just as the call was connecting the car was heading straight in-between the off ramp and highway. They apparently noticed their misguided path...over corrected suddenly, slammed into the median barrier at a 45 degree angle then proceeded to flip repeatedly as I slammed on my brakes.

To say the least I was more than shocked at just how correct I was that this person was in no condition to drive. I was first on the scene and everyone was okay, fortunately it was late at night and no one was on the road so no other vehicles involved and they were wearing seat belts.

I had thought they were drunk but they may have been falling asleep at the wheel, either way that's a no-no.

[Breadman03]

I have no problem calling in a hazardous driver. Once they decide to threaten the lives of everyone around them, they lose their right to be left alone.

[prof_fate]

I called one in years ago and in that case he was speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, flipping people off, blowing his horn - rage (as oppsed to trying to get to the ER) was my gut feeling. 3 miles down the road (since he'd sped off) he had been pulled over. Never found out what the issue was.

[UofHdevildog]

Could've just been an asian woman driving.

[john_bud]

Originally Posted by UofHdevildog

Could've just been an asian woman driving.

Hoooo boy.....


There are a lot of people that drive that way around us, none of them asian.

[Buckaroo]

I call on wreckless drivers. I don't know if they are drunk, tired, old, or just lost. I figure, if they appear to be having problems, innocent or not, if I call it in and a cop pulls them over, the cop can figure it out. If it's just a lost driver unsure of the area, the cop can help them out.

But if I don't call and it is a drunk or otherwise wreckless driver, they could hurt someone before they happen to drive by a cop.

[oldsrocket]

I will always call in if I suspect someone is drunk. I just called one in the other night that I was following. Car was drifting out of their lane (almost hit me when i was beside her) then she'd over correct and go out of the lane on the other side. She was driving a company truck so there may even be a possibility of job loss. I hate to see someone lose their job, but at the same time I'd hate to see that same person kill an innocent person.

[shadowbuff]

More likely texting. I see so much of this, even though illegal in my state. This past week saw a kid maybe 14 with head down, texting, while mowing mom & dad's lawn on their little john deer lawn tractor. Sheesh !