Common Signs of Impairment

Law enforcement officers use many different thingsslow is not an indication of intoxication, but it is a telling
to determine whether you are driving while intoxicatedfactor when combined with even slightly elevated
or driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. TheseBAC or other signs of impairment.
can include breathalyzer tests, blood testing, and urineHopping curbs is another symptom of intoxication in
test, in addition to common field sobriety tests.certain situations, especially when the curb becomes a
However, even if you are driving with a BAC, bloodpart of the road to the driver. Not only does it indicate
alcohol content, below the legal limit, you could exhibitintoxication when combined with other factors, but it
common signs of impairment that can lead to analso increases the risk of causing an accident or
arrest.serious damage to your vehicle. Anyone not paying
The police have an obligation to consider the publicattention closely can hop one curb, but doing it multiple
when they see someone exhibiting the followingtimes can be an accurate indication of drowsy or
behaviors. They may not be signs of intoxication forintoxicated driving.
everyone, and are commonly seen with overly tiredOne of the more serious signs of impaired driving is
drivers, drivers driving after taking legal prescriptionfailing to stop at stop signs or red lights. This creates a
medications, or those driving under the influence ofmuch more dangerous situation for everyone, and can
illegal drugs as well. Law enforcement officers normallylead to a very serious accident, plus injuries or even
use them in combination with field sobriety tests andfatalities in some cases, to the driver and everyone
other methods to find out what is causing the erraticaround. Even without other signs of impaired driving,
behavior.this symptom can create a hefty traffic fine and the
Weaving across the lane back and forth is a commonpotential for more serious penalties for more than one
sign of impairment. It normally means that the driver isoffense.
having trouble focusing on the road, and is veryLaw enforcement officers have a sworn duty to
frequently a sign of intoxication or drowsiness. Eitherprotect everyone on the road, even if that means
can be life threatening for you and others on the roadprotecting someone from himself or herself. Keeping
or near it, as they can cause you to lose control of theour roads safe for all drivers and pedestrians means
vehicle eventually, striking a pedestrian, other vehicle, orknowing what to look for, even without knowing
property.beforehand that a driver is intoxicated. After all, the
Driving much slower or faster than the posted speedofficer will not know for sure that a driver is DWI or
limit is also a red flag factor for police officers. ItDUI until being pulled over and tested.
normally means that the person does not realize theThis information is provided solely for informational
speed limit, and is not in control of the vehicle due to apurposes and does not constitute legal advice.
variety of reasons. By itself, speeding or going very