Police officers need a valid reason to initiate a traffic stop. Outside of checkpoints or an obvious violation of vehicle codes, the officer will likely need to have reasonable suspicion, which requires articulable facts suggesting the driver is violating the law. This is a fairly lax standard, but it requires more than just a hunch. It requires the officer to see something that any reasonable person would notice points to drunk driving.
When it comes to drunk driving stops, police officers will often stop a vehicle if they see signs of impairment. These can include things like ignoring traffic signs and signals, braking abruptly, crossing the center line or failing to use headlights when they should be illuminated.
What happens after the vehicle is stopped?
Once the vehicle is stopped, the police officer looks for additional evidence of impairment. This might include slurred speech, the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes or fumbling with documents. Based on these observations, the officer may conduct field sobriety tests or use a preliminary breath test.
If this investigation provides probable cause, the driver can be arrested for drunk driving. The officer may then take steps to back up their claim. This may involve having the driver take a court-admissible chemical test, which isn’t possible on the side of the road.
Anyone who is arrested for drunk driving should ensure they explore their defense options. This may require them to work with an individual who’s familiar with these matters so they can accurately assess the possible defense strategies.