Josh Wienman | June 26, 2022

Everything You Need To Know About DUI

Although driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is hazardous and illegal, law enforcement officers have no option but to strictly follow guidelines when stopping drivers from being suspects of drunk driving. You can negatively affect your future by being involved in DUI convictions.

Most people ask themselves whether they should plead guilty when they find themselves in these cases. Pleading guilty is never a good option unless your attorney suggests otherwise. Below is an overview of everything you need to know about DUI situations.

What is the Purpose for Blood Intoxicating Testing

Resisting any drug is associated with penalties in most countries and can be equivalent to actual DUI penalties. Comply with the officers, have your breath or blood testing, and then request to call defense attorneys dealing with DUI/DWI cases.

Know About DUI: Key Signs That Indicate

a) Tailgating

Following different vehicles in proximity can signal that a driver is impaired. These actions may be due to the desire to catch up with other drivers or the inability to gauge distance. Regardless, a driver who tailgates under alcohol or drugs is making a risky decision. It is dangerous and against the law since it stipulates that it is prudent to follow another vehicle very closely than the usual distance.

b) Not Following Traffic Signals

When a driver is under the influence of drugs, they may find it hard to see, and they may also find it hard to multi-task. All this ineffectiveness can make drivers fail to follow traffic regulations properly..

c) Weaving and Swerving

Controlling the vehicle may be difficult for the driver if he is drugged or drunk since the driver may become drowsy while driving. These actions can manifest in dangerous driving patterns like zigzagging or weaving across the road, clutching the line at the center, crossing meridians, making wide turns, or veering to curbs, pedestrians, trees, or even buildings.

d) Mishandling Vehicle Equipment

Drivers with less capacity may overuse beams, avoid turning signals, drive in the dark without headlights, not wear seatbelts, misuse the car horn, and even drive with open trunks, windows, and trunks.

e) Jerky Movements

You may see a vehicle accelerating or slowing intermittently or unexpectedly. The car may suddenly pull away from the stop sign since the driver may slam the brake without reason.The mental and physical impairment related to drug abuse impairs judgments making the driving challenging to handle, thus resulting in risky car operations.

f) Alcohol Odor

There is a unique odor that alcohol has, and if a driver has the smell of alcohol, that is a clear indication that he is under the influence of alcohol. However, the smell alone cannot indicate if the driver is intoxicated or the amount of alcohol the driver drunk. Additionally, the odor of the alcohol may be attributed to the passenger in the car if the car has any passengers.

g) Slow and Slurred Speech

If a motorist takes more time to comply with the officer’s requests or answer questions, then this may cruise suspicion. A person’s speech may be slurred when they are intoxicated. Although this can signify that a driver is drunk, it can also be due to nervousness, stroke, fatigue, or various conditions. Some people also don’t naturally speak clearly, and they may be mistaken to slur when they are not slurring.

h) Red or Bloodshot Eyes

While this may indicate drug intoxication, especially cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana, it can also be associated with numerous issues like crying, fatigue, and irritation from contact lenses. Similarly, some people’s natural eye color is red.

i) Contradictory Stories

One of the standard techniques that law enforcement officers use in DUI inspections is bombarding the suspect with questions regarding their whereabouts. Drunk drivers may panic and get confused and give contradictory stories. However, a sober driver can get confused and anxious when asked questions.

j) Poor Motor Skills Coordination Difficulties, Staggering

Law enforcement officers check coordination issues when drivers fumble with their wallets when asked for their IDs. The fumbling may be because the driver is clumsy or nervous. Staggering while getting out of the car may also be an alarming sign that may hint the driver is not sober.

K) Appearance

A person’s appearance may give law enforcement officers a hint that the person in question is intoxicated. However, being drunk cannot be equated to a disheveled appearance since it can have different innocent explanations.

l) Appearance

What Differentiates DUI and DWI?

Significant differences exist between DWI and DUI; the penalties depend on how your record defines them. A DUI refers to driving under the influence, while DWI means drinking while intoxicated, and both of them can mean different things depending on where the act occurred. However, a DUI and DWI can equally hurt the driver’s record.

Field Sobriety Tests

These are tests that the law enforcement use to help them get more DUI evidence to incriminate you. Some disagreements rule out these tests claiming they are not valid, and DUI laws related to field sobriety tests differ from state to state. It is important to note that you don’t have to take any field tests while under suspicion of driving under alcohol. Instead, you should request to call a DWI/DUI lawyer.

Why Car Insurance Becomes Expensive After a DUI

You will encounter an increase in the cost of your insurance if you face drunken driving convictions. Secondly, you will be seen as someone who can again engage in the criminal offense if caught in the act. Insurance companies consider this a liability. The premium charges of insurance companies are increased significantly to counteract accidents that may occur in the future.

Conclusion

Your social standing, freedom, employment opportunities, and mobility may be affected in case of a DUI conviction. Being cautious may keep both you and your passengers out of danger. If you find yourself in a DUI conviction, always get an experienced lawyer to handle your case.