What makes a police officer suspect that they’ve spotted someone who is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol? With all the cars they see on the road, what signals does an impaired driver give off?
Well, here are a few signs that will definitely give you away if you’re driving while intoxicated:
1. Driving much too slowly
Sometimes, people realize they shouldn’t be driving, so they slow down — figuring that they can get home safely if they just creep along.
2. Leaving the headlights off
Sometimes, this is just a drunken mistake — while other times, it’s deliberate because the driver is hoping to avoid detection. (It’s definitely the wrong way to go about it and puts everybody in danger, so don’t try it.)
3. Erratic, inconsistent driving
Police officers are trained to watch for drivers who don’t seem to be entirely focused on their task. They might spot an impaired driver through erratic braking, lane changes that don’t seem to serve any purpose, turn signals that aren’t followed up with an actual turn and slow reactions to traffic lights. Drivers who are impaired also may take roads at an inconsistent speed, suddenly slowing down or speeding up at random.
4. Drifting, weaving and wrong-way driving
All of these actions are big tip-offs to the police that a driver is having problems — and are sure to result in a traffic stop and investigation.
A charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas is a serious issue. You face a possible license suspension, court fees and more — even for a first offense. Make certain that you have experienced DWI representation by your side as your case proceeds.
