Police officers are trained to look for certain driving actions that may suggest that a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police do not need to know that an individual is drunk in order to conduct a traffic stop, but they do need to have reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation has occurred, so oftentimes they look for minor violations in order to conduct a legal stop.
In today’s blog, we look at some of the signs and minor infractions that police officers may observe before pulling someone over that may signal that the driver is under the influence.
Signs Of A Drunk Driver
While speeding is the most common traffic violation, it’s not typically a good indication of whether or not a person is driving under the influence. That’s not to say that drunk drivers never speed. Most drivers will travel above the speed limit, whereas someone who knows or believes they are above the legal limit may be more likely to keep their speed in check. Instead, police tend to look for these 10 driving behaviors that are more common among drunk drivers.
1. Driving 10+ MPH below the speed limit – Driving well below the posted speeds suggests that the driver may be driving overly cautious because of their intoxication, or they may not be able to safely drive at faster speeds because of their intoxication.
2. Headlight Issues – If you forgot to turn your headlights on, or you forgot to turn your brights off when passing a vehicle in the other direction, it may indicate that you’re not very aware of your surroundings, and that could be caused by your intoxication.
3. Wide Turn Radius – If you’re unable to maintain your lane when turning, or you’re making a very wide turn, it could be a sign of intoxication.
4. Swerving Inside Your Lane – If you’re struggling to keep the car from moving to the left and right inside your own lane, it could suggest you’re intoxicated or that you’re distracted by your cell phone.
5. Following Too Closely – Your intoxication may make it difficult for you to tell how much space is needed between your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
6. Slow Traffic Light Response – If they light turns green and you sit there until someone honks their horn, it suggests you’re not paying attention to the road. Again, oftentimes cell phones or intoxication are to blame.
7. Nearly Hitting Objects – If you’re getting dangerous close to parked cars or you have to change lanes to avoid a stopped vehicle at an intersection, it’s an indication that you do not have control over the vehicle, and intoxication may be to blame.
8. Flashing Vehicle Lights – If you leave your turn signal on for miles or you’re driving with your hazard lights on because you think it will help you stay safe, you may be making some bad driving decisions as a result of your inebriation.
9. Illegal Turns – Drunk drivers may be more likely to miss their turns or accidentally head down a one-way in the wrong direction. If an officer sees someone making illegal or dangerous turns, they may conduct a traffic stop to check on the driver.
10. Inappropriate Braking – Finally, sometimes drunk drivers are overly cautious with their brakes because they really want to avoid an accident, but overuse of the brake can be just as dangerous. If you’re constantly tapping the brakes or hitting them an inappropriate times, it could tip off a police cruiser.
If you’ve been charged with drinking and driving, or you need help contesting a different criminal charge, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
