Seattle DUI Defense Lawyer
What Police Look For During A DUI Stop
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued several guidelines for police officers for how to stop DUI suspects and what to look for when they stop those suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. What most police officers look for before making a stop are:
- Weaving across lanes, straddling a lane line, swerving, turning with a wide radius, drifting or almost striking a vehicle or other objects.
- Erratic driving such as driving in opposing lanes or wrong way on a one-way street
- Stopping problems such as accelerating or decelerating for no apparent reason, varying speed or slow speed
- Slow response to traffic signals, slowness or failure in responding to officer's signals, driving without headlights at night or stopping in lane for no apparent reason.
- Following too closely, improper or unsafe lane change, illegal turns, confrontational behavior or appearance of being intoxicated or impaired
After stopping a driver on suspicion of drunk driving, NHTSA suggests that officers look for these symptoms:
- Difficulty with motor vehicle controls
- Problems getting out of the vehicle
- Fumbling with getting out license, registration or insurance papers
- Repeating questions or comments
- Swaying, appearing to be unsteady or having balance problems
- Slurred speech
- Leaning on the vehicle or other object
- Slow response to officer's questions or instructions
- Odor of alcoholic beverage from the driver
However, these are only rough guidelines. Although they may be symptomatic of someone who is driving under the influence, it is not evidence of someone driving drunk. If you or someone you know has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, please call an experienced Snohomish County DUI defense attorney at McNeese & Trotsky PLLC. for a free consultation. Our skilled Washington drunk driving defense attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and build a strong defense, helping you get an acquittal or reducing your charges. Call us today.
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