What To Do If You See A St. Paddy's Drunk Driver: Sheriff

MICHIGAN — It’s a holiday weekend and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is giving out tips for drivers who encounter a likely danger this weekend: a drunken driver.

His office has released warning signs and instructions on how to handle a drunk driver on the road as St. Patrick’s Day — often an alcohol-fueled occasion — is celebrated.

Here’s what Bouchard wants drivers to know:

Warning Signs of an Intoxicated Driver

• Driver traveling 10mph below the posted speed limit
• Driver suddenly stops for no apparent reason
• Traveling too closely to other vehicles
• Braking erratically
• Inconsistent use of turn signals
• Driving without turning headlights on
• Drifting in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway

How to Protect Yourself

• Call 911 and report the driver: take note of the driver’s exact location, be prepared to give an accurate description of the car including make, model, color and most importantly their license plate number.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• If you spot a driver you suspect has been drinking, do not follow the vehicle closely in case they make sudden stops.
• In an attempt to keep sight of the driver, do not disregard any traffic signals.
• Don’t get so involved with what the drunk driver is doing that it causes you to compromise your own safety.
• If the driver stops, do not attempt to detain him/her.