Police officers are trained to “notice” people driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. While there is no absolute scientific method of determining who is driving drunk and who is not, police officers generally use the following clues to pull someone over for suspicion:
- Erratic lane changes
- Swerving
- Excessive speeds
- Driving way under the speed limit
- Excessive braking when not at a red light
- Visually seeing someone take a drink from an alcoholic beverage container
There are times when a person is pulled over for a different violation and the police officer may suspect that the person is driving under the influence at that time. This may occur when:
- Officer smells alcohol on the person
- Officer sees open alcohol containers in car
- Driver has slurred speech or is visibly intoxicated
When an officer determines that the driver of a vehicle is intoxicated, they will perform a roadside sobriety test. These tests are used to determine if a person is physically able to drive or if they are under the influence of alcohol.
Field sobriety tests include:
- Breathalyzer test
- Requested blood test
- Walking heel to toe test
- Reciting the alphabet
Officers may also use other similar tests approved by their departments to determine sobriety. If the officer deems that the driver is intoxicated, an arrest is made.
Why You Need A Drunk Driving Lawyer
Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is very serious. There are many life-changing events that can occur if you are convicted. You could face jail time, high fines, and may be required to install a breathalyzer into your car to operate it.
A conviction also means that you could face higher insurance rates, a criminal conviction on your record, and a license suspension that may prevent you from driving for a period of time.
This is why it is important to seek the help of a lawyer when you are facing these serious charges. Your attorney understands that there are many defenses surrounding drunk driving charges, many of which apply to the very methods and tests used to determine if you were drunk while driving.
If you are facing drunk driving charges of any type, it may be in your best interest to contact one of our experienced attorneys to have your case reviewed. Our attorneys have a vast knowledge of drunk driving laws and defenses and we know what’s on the line.
