Driving under the influence of alcohol?
What kinds of driving patterns suggest that a person has been driving under the influence of alcohol? What are some of the signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication? What do police officers do to determine if a person is drunk?
Note: This isn’t a homework assignment, but please do provide detailed answers. Thank you!
I didn’t give the thumbs down either. I have no idea who did. I’m going to give a thumbs up to everyone who has answered my question.
There are a lot of signs that would indicate a driver is drunk…including but not limited to:
driving with no headlights
failing to turn off brights
weaving
wide turns
In Ohio, we’re taught to give them the following “tests” in the following order:
1 – they are asked to walk heal to toe for 9 steps on a straight line, counting out loud, turn around in a described way, and return.
2 – they stand on one foot with the other raised 6 inches off the ground and count until we tell them to stop
3 – Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. (the Pen Test) where we look for nystagmus (involuntary jerking of the eyes)
This one is the give away…..a person’s eyes can’t fake not being drunk.
I watch for movement in the lane, ie moving left to right more than usual (I do consider high winds or potholes on the road when watching). Crossing the yellow line is a common indicator. I also watch what the vehicle does when another vehicle approaches in the opposite directions. Impaired drivers tend to focus on the yellow line (which is why they drive over it) but tend to move to the right when another car approaches to give more room for error.
Speed is a factor. Higher speeds, or not being able to maintain a certain speed.
I watch how a vehicle takes a turn, usually they will swing out to wide or strike the curb.
Failing to use turn signals, no headlights and improper lane usage are also indicators.
When I approach a car, obviously I am looking for a smell of liquor on their breath. Bloodshot, watery eyes. Slurred speech. The usual indicators of alcohol consumption. THis is the hardest to describe. It is easy to look at someone and know they are intoxicated, it is harder to articulate why.
I also watch how they handle their documents. I watch for fumbling. You will also see people move very slow and deliberate so as not to fumble. THey may take a few tries before they can grasp something like the insurance paper.
I pay attention to how they follow directions.
When they get out of the vehicle, I watch to see if they steady themselves on the car, are they off balance, or swaying back and forth. Do they stumble when they walk.
Here in Canada, field sobriety tests only very recently became legal again. I have not yet been trained in them. So when I have enough grounds, I arrest, read the breath demand and take them in for the breathlyzer. We do not use roadside screening devices here either.
I have laid many impaired driving charges and have testified many times. I have not lost one yet.
EDIT- I didn’t thumbs you down
(just so you know)
When you go to a Bar. Pub or Cantina, ride your bike or walk!
never drive!