According to expert DUI accident attorneys, if you decided to drive home after drinking, whether just one drink or one too many, it’s time to focus on driving and try your hardest to appear completely sober. Police officers are specially trained on identifying the indications of intoxication – and now’s not the time to give them reason to believe you are.
This article courtesy of the accident lawyer experts at Accidents.com.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Take a look at the following things you shouldn’t do when trying to prove you’re sober:
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Drive haphazardly – One of the first thing police officers look for are odd driving patterns such as:
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Driving without headlights
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Making unsafe lane changes
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Swerving toward the centerline
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Swerving toward the shoulder
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Failure to signal or signaling too soon
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Failure to stop at a stop sign (or roll through a stop sign)
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Making too wide or too sharp turns
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Driving more than 10 mph above or below the speed limit
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Following other cars too closely
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Appear disheveled – Police are also trained to focus on things like:
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Shaky hands
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Bloodshot or glossy eyes
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Smell of alcohol on your breath
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Disheveled clothing
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Smell of mint and alcohol on your breath (this is evidence you’re trying to cover it up)
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The inability to walk in a straight line
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Talk and talk and talk – One of the worst things you can do when pulled over is to talk the officer’s ear off and try to convince him or her you haven’t been drinking. Those who have had a few drinks are often more chatty and the last thing you need is to tell the officer details about your night (like where you’ve been drinking, how many drinks you’ve had, etc.) Anything you say at this point can be used against you if you’re ever convicted of a DUI.
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Argue with an officer – Don’t ever, under any circumstances, argue with an officer when he or she asks you to get out of your car, provide them with your license or registration, or ask you to take a field sobriety test. Although most experts encourage you not to take an FST, the polite thing to say is, “I’ve been advised against taking this test” – instead of getting defensive.
Each of these can help take big strides toward a positive outcome of your night. But, if you do find yourself in the unlucky situation of being taken into the police station, be sure to call a good DUI attorney. They’ll know exactly how to help you out.
