DUI FAQ: What Are Police Looking For?
When police are out cruising around, what type of driving behavior do they look for in trying to identify someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs? We have included below a partial list of driving behaviors compiled by the National Highway Traffic Administration that police specifically look for that may indicate that the driver is intoxicated:
1. Making a turn using a wide radius
2. Not being able to “pick a lane” thereby straddling the center divider
3. “Appearing to be drunk”
4. Nearly striking other cars or objects on the road
5. Weaving in and out of traffic
6. Driving on a road that is not a designated highway
7. Swerving
8. Driving too slow — more than 10 miles per hour below the speed limit
9. Stopping in the middle of the road for no apparent reason
10. “Tailgating” or following too closely behind the vehicle in front
11. Tapping the brakes erratically or excessively
12. Driving into oncoming or cross traffic
13. Using your turn signals inconsistently with your intentions (for example putting your right turn signal on and then turning left)
14. Delayed response to traffic lights
15. Executing abrupt or illegal turns
16. Rapid acceleration or deceleration
17. Headlights off during the night
If you have been arrested for a DUI, it is important to have a skilled attorney on your side. Whether you’ve had multiple DUIs or this is your first offense, hiring an attorney can sometimes mean the difference between having the court impose its maximum penalty on you or having your charges dropped or reduced. Contact the Misdemeanor Clinic today, because we know that Good People Can Have Bad Days!
Sources:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Research
http://dui.findlaw.com/dui-arrests/dui-traffic-stop-faqs.html
