How can the police find out whether a driver is under the influence or intoxicated?
Police typically use three methods of determining whether a driver has had too much to drink to be driving (intoxicated), or is under the influence of drugs: • Observation. A police officer will pull you over if he notices that you are driving erratically — swerving, speeding, failing to stop, or even driving too slowly. Of course, you may have a good explanation for your driving (tiredness, for example), but an officer is unlikely to buy your story if he smells alcohol on your breath, or notices slurred words or unsteady movements. • Sobriety tests. If an officer suspects that you are under the influence, he will probably ask you to get out of the car and perform a series of balance and speech tests, such as standing on one leg, walking a straight line heel-to-toe, or reciting a line of letters or numbers. The officer will look closely at your eyes, checking for pupil enlargement or constriction, which can be evidence of intoxication, and will judge your ability to follow exact instru
Related Questions
- If I’m stopped for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), can a police officer ask me questions without reading me my rights?
- What do police officers look for before stopping a driver who they think might be intoxicated?
- What driving while intoxicated/driving under the influence indicators do police look for?
