What Police Look for in Detecting Suspicion of DUI/OWI Motorists

Detecting suspicion of DUI/OWI motorists is sometimes obvious. Yet at other times, law enforcement officers have to use their training and experience to identify possible impairment.

So, what are some of the less obvious indicators?

To help drivers make informed decisions and be aware of their rights during a traffic stop, we’ll look at the many indicators – obvious and not-so-obvious alike – that the police observe in suspected DUI/OWI traffic stops in Oakland County.

Noteworthy Behaviors in Detecting Suspicion of DUI/OWI Motorists

The vast majority of drivers arrested for a DUI/OWI first encounter law enforcement as part of a traffic stop. In some cases, the traffic stop could be for completely unrelated reasons including speeding, having a broken tail light, or an expired license.

In most cases, however, drivers exhibit certain behaviors that serve as a red flag for the police. They include the following:

Swerving or Erratic Driving

One of the most obvious signs of possible intoxication is erratic driving behavior. This can include swerving, making sudden lane changes, drifting in and out of traffic, or driving at inconsistent speeds and point to the driver’s inability to maintain control of their vehicle.

But other indicators that officers might notice along with the swerving or erratic driving are strange behaviors such as having the windows wide open in January or shamelessly texting with no regard to the law. These will certainly heighten the suspicion.

Slurred Speech

Slurred speech and difficulty articulating words are clear signs of intoxication. But they could also be the result of a medical condition. So officers have to be careful to not quickly assume the driver is under the influence. Especially if they’re not exhibiting any other behaviors. 

In some cases, drivers will admit to consuming alcohol or using drugs when questioned by the police. Such admissions encourage further investigation.

Odors and Empty Containers

No matter how wide open you have those windows (and in January, no less), law enforcement officers are trained to detect the odor of alcohol in a driver’s breath or the presence of marijuana. And just because marijuana is legal in Michigan, it’s no more legal to smoke down while you’re driving than it is to take a swig of an alcoholic beverage.

Nervousness or Agitation

Getting pulled over by the police is distressing. And officers are accustomed to dealing with a certain amount of nervousness from drivers. Excessive nervousness or agitation, however, are indicators of possible intoxication from drugs or alcohol. In addition, if the driver has trouble following simple instructions, this can also raise suspicion.

Glassy or Bloodshot Eyes

Given that certain drugs and alcohol can cause blood vessels in the eyes to dilate, officers often look s for glassy or bloodshot eyes as signs of impairment. They may also notice a driver having difficulty maintaining eye contact – though this can be the result of shyness or fear as well.

Poor Motor Skills or Coordination

If a driver has difficulty retrieving his or her license and registration, that’s a possible indicator. Again though, this could be the result of a medical condition. If the officer witnesses further unsteady movements along with slurred speech, he or she may request the driver to take a field sobriety test.

It’s important to note here that many drivers are unaware that it is their right to refuse a field sobriety test. These physical tests can be inaccurate and skewed and poor performance on them can be used as evidence of impairment even when there isn’t any.

On the other hand, if a breath, blood, or urine test is requested, it’s best to take these tests as refusal could result in additional fines and possibly a one-year suspension of your driver’s license. 

You Need to Know Your Rights

Even though police have training in detecting suspicion of DUI/OWI motorists, there’s always the possibility of error.

Regardless of whether you think you were falsely accused or you openly admitted to intoxication, facing a DUI/OWI charge in Oakland County is serious. You need the best DUI/OWI attorney available.

You need José Fanego. Contact us today or call (248) 645-1400 to speak with a highly experienced attorney who is well-versed in these cases and whose primary interest is in protecting YOU.