Tips by Bob Caisulli to Spot and Avoid Drunk Drivers & Ensure Safety on Roads

Hi, I’m Bob Ciasulli and I own several car dealerships in northern New Jersey. I’d like to bring the following information to your attention: this article concerns drunk driving and how to spot and avoid drunk drivers on the roads.

Knowing the law can empower you to protect your safety and the safety of your friends and loved ones. The following is Part 2 of a drinking and driving informational article and contains helpful information regarding drunk driving and how you can ensure your safety on the road.

How Do I Spot Drunk Drivers on the Road?

The Scenario: It’s late at night on the weekend and you’re on the road driving home. You see another car in front of you driving very slowly and weaving in and out of lanes. What should you do? Learning the signs of drunk driving can help you avoid harmful situations.

• Do you see cars that are driving between two lanes, or driving on lane markers?

• Do you see cars stopping at green lights, crosswalks, or at other times when not necessary?

• Do you see cars hitting or striking objects in the road or other vehicles?

• Do you witness drivers taking extremely wide turns?

• Is the individual driving well below the speed limit, at least 10MPH below?

• Are they driving on the shoulder or the wrong side of the road?

• Are they tailgating another vehicle and/or breaking at erratic intervals?

• When passing another car, do they narrowly miss hitting or making contact?

• Do you see a car driving without its headlights on?

These may be indications or signs that the driver is under the influence of alcohol and you should take measures to avoid them. Do NOT try to pass them, stop their vehicle, tailgate them, or act on behalf of the police.

• Get out of their way and anticipate any sudden movements or erratic behavior.

• Stay far behind them and change lanes if necessary.

• Make that your seatbelt is on, and the seatbelts of all your passengers.

• Pull over to the side of the road.

• You may also choose to call 911 and report the drunk driver. You will be prompted to disclose the location, car description, behavior of the driver, as well as the direction they’re heading.

Avoid putting people (and yourself) in danger and don’t drink while intoxicated. Here are a few alcohol-related myths about drinking and driving:

Splashing my face with water will sober me up enough to drive.

That’s not true. Take a cold shower if you want, but the only thing that will sober you up is time.

I’ll run around the block a few times before driving home. Exercise will sober me up.

This is not true either. While it may make you feel more awake, it won’t make you any more sober.

I’ve eaten a large meal before I started drinking. There’s no way I’ll get too drunk to drive.

The size of the meal you eat only has a SMALL effect on how slowly or rapidly the alcohol you drink enters your bloodstream. If you drink excessively, you’ll still be too intoxicated to drive, no matter what size your portion.

Neither post-drinking breath mints nor coffee will prevent officers from pulling you over. The only thing that’ll sober you up enough to drive is time. Protect yourself and protect your family and friends.

Bob Ciasulli owns and operates several car dealerships in northern New Jersey and is very interested in automotive maintenance and safe driving habits. He encourages you to drive safely and protect yourself and your fellow drivers.