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Drunk Driving Cues

Law enforcement uses observations to help them detect if someone is driving under the influence. They are trained to look for specific drunk driving cues. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed the cues after conducing three field studies involving hundreds of officers and more than 12,000 stops. The list is comprised of 24 cues for law enforcement officers to use while observing how someone is driving. The NTSA created an additional 10 cues for officers to use after pulling the driver to the side of the road.

Since these are observation cues, they are things officers look for while watching you drive and after stopping your vehicle. Below are lists of these cues.

Problems with Judgment:

1. Following Too Closely
2. Improper or Unsafe Lane Change
3. Illegal or Improper Turn (too fast, jerky, sharp, etc.)
4. Driving on Other than the Designated Roadway
5. Stopping Inappropriately in Response to an Officer
6. Inappropriate or Unusual Behavior
7. Appearing to Be Impaired.

Difficulties in Maintaining Proper Lane Position:

8. Weaving
9. Weaving Across Lane Lines
10. Straddling a Lane Line
11. Drifting
12. Swerving
13. Almost Striking a Vehicle or Other Object
14. Turning With a Wide Radius, or Drifting During a Curve

Problems Being Alert:

15. Driving Without Headlights at Night
16. Failure to Signal a Turn or Lane Change, or Signaling Inconsistently With Actions
17. Driving in Opposing Lanes or the Wrong Way on a One-Way Street
18. Slow Response to Traffic Signals
19. Slow or Failure to Repsond to Officer's Signals
20. Stopping in the Lane for No Apparent Reason

Speed and Braking Problems:

21. Stopping Problems (Too Far, Too Short, Too Jerky)
22. Accelerating for no Reason
23. Varying Speed
24. Slow Speed

Signs After the Stop
The following signs help an officer determine if the BAC of the driver is .08 or above and if a DUI arrest should be made.

1. Difficulty with Motor Vehicle Controls
2. Difficulty Exiting the Vehicle
3. Fumbling with Driver's License or Registration
4. Repeating Questions or Comments
5. Swaying, Unsteady, or Balance Problems
6. Leaning on the Vehicle or Other Object
7. Slurred Speech
8. Slow to Respond to Officer/Officer Must Repeat Questions
9. Provides Incorrect Information or Changes Answers
10. Odor of Alcoholic Beverage from the Driver

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