How to Report a Drunk Driver

You’re driving down the street or freeway when you notice a vehicle driving erratically. Should you notify the police? If you suspect a drunk driver is behind the wheel, please report the car and its driver to law enforcement.

Before you dial 911, learn more about how to provide the best description of the driver and vehicle to law enforcement. If you can successfully gather the right information, the police have a better chance of finding the car and getting the driver off the road before they cause an accident.

Take a look at telltale signs of drunk driving, which number to call to report a drunk driver, and how to report the event to authorities.

There are strong indicators that the driver of a vehicle is impaired. While these behaviors do not guarantee that a driver is drunk, they still show that the driver is a safety threat and should be reported to the police.¹

• Swerving or slowing below the speed limit
• Erratic braking and acceleration
• Sudden, abrupt turns
• Driving down the center of a road, straddling lanes
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Stopping inappropriately in traffic
• Failure to respond to traffic signals

To report a drunk driver, call 911. Give the operator as complete a description of the vehicle as possible. Local police or highway patrol can’t pull the drunk driver over if they don’t know who they’re looking for.

Your information can make a difference when it comes to stopping drunk drivers before they cause serious damage. Gather these details for the dispatcher before calling 911 to report a vehicle for erratic driving:

• License plate number
• Make, model, and color of the car
• Location of the vehicle, including street names or intersections
• Driver description (if possible)

If you’re not driving, taking a picture of the vehicle and the license plate number with your phone may be helpful. If you have a dash cam that can capture those details, even better.

Be prepared to describe why you have a reasonable suspicion the driver is drunk, including any unsafe driving behaviors you witnessed.

If a driver seems drunk, it’s best to dial 911 and the dispatcher will relay your report to the right law enforcement agencies.

If you’re unsure whether the driver is impaired, call these police non-emergency numbers to relay your concerns.

New York City: 311

Los Angeles: 1-877-ASK-LAPD, (1-877-275-5273)

Chicago: 311

Dallas: 214-744-4444

Houston: 713-884-3131

Washington DC: 311

Miami: 305-4-POLICE (305-476-5423)

Philadelphia: (215) 686-8686

Atlanta: 404-614-6544

Boston: 617-343-4500 or 1-800-494-TIPS

While it can feel intimidating to report someone for drunk driving, it is always better to err on the side of safety and call the authorities if you suspect a driver is impaired. If you choose, you can report your observations anonymously. There are no legal actions someone can take against you for reporting a drunk driver.

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• Best Car Dash Cams
• What Is 311 and When Should I Use It?

1. Colorado State Patrol, Department of Public Safety, “Report a DUI/DUID Driver.” Accessed May 6, 2024.
2. California Highway Patrol, “Reporting Drunk Driver.” Accessed May 6, 2024.