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SAFE DRIVING TIPS
Detecting drunk drivers
Be alert this holiday season for motorists under the influence
By Richard Russell
Thursday, December 18, 2003
The festive season is underway, and with it comes the increased likelihood of drivers with little or no common sense, taking the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
While we are concerned about these people killing or injuring themselves, we should all be more worried about the possibility of them killing or injuring other drivers and/or pedestrians - and even the occupants of their own vehicle.
As fellow road users, we can keep an eye open for these people using the same set of clues as law enforcement officers. Visual detection of those Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI) can generally be broken into four categories: Vigilance problems, speed and braking issues, inability to maintain lane position and judgement problems.
As you look through the list, just imagine what effect alcohol or other drugs have on our ability to identify situations, make clear decisions and react properly in time.
Vigilance: Since a drunk driver's entire thought process is impaired, he or she is likely to make a whole bunch of poor decisions - or perhaps worse, no decision at critical times. Watch for motorists under the influence to drive merrily along with no headlights in the dead of night or fail to signal a turn or lane change. Not too uncommon you might think, but look for these issues in combination with others that are much more serious and life-threatening such as driving the wrong way on a one-way street or ramp. With impaired reactions look for them to be slow to respond to a light or signal - stopping or starting. In some cases you might see them come to a complete stop for no apparent reason.
Speed and braking: Drugs impair both our vision and reactions. A common problem for people under the influence is the inability to be smooth. Since they are not looking ahead, but rather simply reacting to something they notice at the very last moment, their movement will be jerky. They will stop too far from a sign, light or crosswalk. The stop itself might be jerky. Similarly, their speed will be erratic with sudden acceleration or slowing for no apparent reason. Those who are aware they are driving under the influence will often overreact, driving too slowly.
Lane position: Someone driving under the influence is likely to weave, straddle lane lines or wander back and forth across them. It is also common for them to drift, swerve and almost touch other vehicles. Also look for them to swing in a very wide arc and cross into another lane on turns.
Judgement: Driving is a process of identification and reaction. With both vision and reactions impaired, a driver under the influence will make a number of inappropriate judgement calls. Look for them to follow too closely, make frequent and improper lane changes, illegal turns and drive on a surface other than a designated roadway such as the sidewalk, lawn, shoulder, etc.
These are some of the things to watch out for on the road. Sadly, the biggest problem is not the occasional drinker, but the alcoholic or repeat offender. Nearly everyone uses or has experimented with alcohol or drugs; some have driven under the influence. There are several subsequent levels of alcohol and drug use on the road to dependency identified as use, misuse, abuse and addiction. The compulsive use of alcohol or other drugs, regardless of consequences, is a huge traffic safety issue. We have all seen the sad stories of repeat offenders killing someone while driving without a licence or insurance, in a vehicle they don't even own.
A number of learned minds have worked on this issue over the years arriving at a variety of recommendations. They range from in-vehicle systems to prevent driving while under the influence, to high visibility traffic enforcement, more support for DUI prosecution, medical screening for alcohol use and more lengthy terms of incarceration.
Regardless, your concern should be for your safety and that of fellow motorists. Keep a watchful eye out for drivers who might be driving under the influence, stay out of their way and report them immediately to the authorities. The life you save may not be just your own.
Halifax-based Richard Russell operates the Advanced Driving Concepts driving school.
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