Picture this: You’re driving home on Friday evening after a great evening with friends. Suddenly, you hear the police siren summoning you to stop.
Being pulled over can be a troubling experience, to say the least. If this happens, you need to appreciate that you only have a couple of minutes to compose yourself and avoid missteps that can complicate matters for you. Specifically, here are two things you do not want to tell the police during a DUI stop:
1.“I just had one beer; I can still drive safely”
It’s not up to you to determine whether or not you are operating within the legal alcohol limits. Remember, to stop you for drunk driving, the police must be reasonably suspicious that you are intoxicated behind the wheel. Admitting that you took some beer before hitting the road will only prompt the police to be more aggressive with their investigation. And this might include requiring you to take the breathalyzer test. Besides, they will likely document and present this admission in court should you be charged.
2. “Yes, I had some drinks…but that was several hours ago”
This too amounts to a confession that you have been drinking after all. Keep in mind that no two physiological processes are alike. Depending on your system’s function, it may take several hours before your blood can be free of alcohol. Still, the more alcohol you drink, the longer it will take to clear your blood of alcohol.
A conviction for drunk driving can impact various aspects of your life. Understanding the do’s and don’ts during a DUI stop can help you protect your rights while interacting with law enforcement officers.