You may think you’re a good driver even if you’ve had a few beers, but cops have been trained to spot specific driving maneuvers that signal the driver may be under the influence. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are a list of driving infractions which suggest that the driver may be drunk. Below, we take a look at the top 10 driving maneuvers that signal to cops that you might be under the influence.
Here are the top 10 drunk driving patterns, along with a “likely percentage” that the driver is inebriated:
1. Driving on the center lane marker or the roadside marker (65%).
2. Turning with a wide radius (65%).
3. Appearing to be drunk (60%).
4. Nearly striking an object or vehicle (60%).
5. Weaving (60%).
6. Driving outside the designated roadway (55%).
7. Swerving (55%).
8. Driving at least 10 mph below the speed limit (50%).
9. Stopping in traffic without cause (50%).
10. Drifting in and out of lane (50%).
Additionally, if a driver is seen committing two or more driving maneuvers, the NHTSA estimates that you can tack on an additional 10 percent likelihood to the highest probability. For example, if an officer spots a driver who appears to be drunk and who is drifting in and out of their lane, on average, that person has a 70 percent likelihood of being under the influence of alcohol.
