| There is no question that an individual's decision to get | | | | identify which motorists are exhibiting driving behaviors |
| behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after the | | | | and actions that are most likely to result in an accident |
| consumption of alcohol is a lamentable one. Impaired | | | | or which exhibit an unacceptable and willful defiance of |
| judgment, motor skills, and other direct effects of | | | | traffic safety laws. |
| intoxication can significantly heighten the likelihood that | | | | To aid law enforcement officers in their efforts to |
| a driver will become involved in a traffic accident. The | | | | curtail driving under the influence, the National Highway |
| resulting collision could cause serious injury to the | | | | Transportation Safety Administration reviewed a |
| impaired motorist and also to any other persons who | | | | wealth of data and identified observable cues that |
| are affected by the crash. It is important to recall, | | | | could serve to signal driver impairment. They attached |
| however, that this negligent behavior does not | | | | a likelihood of legal intoxication to each behavior and if |
| necessarily result in a DUI conviction. | | | | an officer believes a certain threshold probability has |
| Until the development of the automobile, the | | | | been obtained, they will attempt to pull a driver over. |
| consequences of alcohol intoxication were restricted | | | | The following are some of the signs of intoxication that |
| to the errant actions and misjudgments of a drunken | | | | they are looking for: |
| individual. While this is certainly not to be taken lightly, it | | | | - Tires that are straddling the center line or lane |
| is a considerable distance from the danger posed by | | | | markers - 65 % probability |
| the operation of a high speed vehicle weighing up to | | | | - Close calls or near accidents involving either fixed |
| several thousand pounds. In the hands of an unfit | | | | objects or other cars - 60 % probability |
| driver, a car or truck is a serious threat to highway | | | | - Non-signaled and apparently unintentional waving |
| safety. In order to enforce the laws pertaining to | | | | from lane to lane - 60 % probability |
| driving under the influence, police officers and highway | | | | - Speed considerably slower than the limit or traffic |
| patrolpersons attempt to assess a motorist's | | | | flow - 50 % probability |
| perceived degree of intoxication not only through | | | | - Rapid and illegal turning - 35 % probability |
| breathalyzer tests and standard field sobriety tests but | | | | - Headlights not being illuminated when conditions call |
| also through the detection of formally document visual | | | | for them to be on - 30 % probability Vigorous DUI |
| cues which suggest impairment. | | | | Defense |
| Signs That They Are Looking For | | | | Just because you have been arrested and charged |
| As anyone who has ever been irritated that a red light | | | | with DUI does not mean you are guilty. The Seattle |
| runner or excessive speeder was not pulled over can | | | | DUI defense lawyers of the Cowan Kirk Gaston Law |
| attest, there are simply too many vehicles on the | | | | Firm are passionately committed to representing |
| roadway for police officers to conduct a traffic stop | | | | people in your current situation. Contact us to learn |
| for every violation they encounter. Instead, they must | | | | more about your rights. |