Motorists are expected to drive safely, and police officers patrol the roadways to ensure this is happening. When an officer sees something amiss, they may conduct a traffic stop to find out what’s going on with the driver.
One reason why a person might be pulled over is if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the driver is impaired. This standard simply means that a reasonable person in the same situation would draw the same conclusions when presented with the applicable information.
What makes an officer think a driver is drunk?
Drunk drivers have some behaviors that are fairly common, but these can also be present in other situations. Some of the signs that might cause an officer to conduct a traffic stop include:
- Swerving between lanes
- Turning abruptly or without a signal
- Hitting or coming close to hitting roadside objects
- Stopping in the middle of the road without cause
- Failing to follow traffic signs or signals
- Driving much too fast or too slow for the conditions
- Forgetting to turn headlights on in inclement weather and from dusk to dawn
Once the officer stops the vehicle, they have to determine the reason for the driver’s behavior. If the person fails a sobriety or chemical test, probable cause for an arrest exists and the person will be arrested.
Facing a charge for drunk driving must be taken seriously because there are very serious consequences that come with a conviction. You need to learn about your defense strategy options so you can create a plan for handling your case. This may be easier if you have someone on your side who’s familiar with DWI charges in Minnesota.
