DUI Lawyer in Birmingham Alabama: Driving Clues and Legal Defense
When an individual is arrested for DUI, the majority of the time a traffic stop has occurred. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided guidelines for certain clues, that indicate impaired driving. The NHTSA has titled these as “20 Clues to Impaired Driving.”
The following are the NHTSA’s clues and the likelihood that a person stopped for exhibiting a clue will be intoxicated.
- Wide turn radius 65%
- Straddling center or lane marker 65%
- Appearing to be drunk 60%
- Almost strike an object or a vehicle 60%
- Weaving 60%
- Swerving 55%
- Driving on other than a designated roadway 55%
- Slower than 10 MPH below the limit 50%
- Drifting 50%
- Stopping without cause in the traffic lane 50%
- Following too closely 50%
- Braking erratically 45%
- Tires on center or lane marker 45%
- Driving into opposing or crossing traffic 45%
- Slow response to the traffic signal 40%
- Signaling is inconsistent with actions 40%
- Stopping inappropriately 35%
- Turning abruptly or illegally 35%
- Accelerating or decelerating rapidly 30%
- Headlights 30%
I drive in Birmingham, Alabama, every day, and if I were a police officer, I could stop someone who could be classified as a suspected DUI driver every day. These “clues” may be appropriate if some were linked together, but as stand-alone indicators, they seem to be lacking.
The attorneys of Boles Holmes White have a history of success in the courtroom and are ready to represent clients nationwide. If you find yourself facing DUI or DWI charges, it is important to find an experienced DUI attorney to represent you.