DC DUI Lawyer Attorney David Benowitz
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What do police officers look for when searching for DC Drunk Drivers?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted extensive studies and has developed a list of symptoms believed to indicate the presence of drunk driving.  The following driving actions are considered indicators of drunk driving.

  1. Weaving across lane lines
  2. Making a wide turn
  3. Straddling the center lane marker
  4. Driving with tires on center marker between lanes
  5. Striking or almost striking a vehicle or other object
  6. Driving off of designated roadway
  7. Swerving within the lane lines
  8. Slow speed (10 + mph under the speed limit)
  9. Questionable stops in traffic lanes
  10. Tailgating (following too closely)
  11. Unsafe lane changing
  12. Drifting
  13. Excessive braking
  14. Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
  15. Questionable signaling
  16. Delayed reaction to traffic signals
  17. Inappropriate stopping or slowing
  18. Turning illegally or abruptly
  19. Accelerating or slowing down rapidly
  20. Driving without headlights on

Notice that speeding is not listed as an indicator of drunk driving.  Speeding requires quick reflexes and judgment, traits that usually require sobriety.  However, many drunk driving defendants were initially stopped for speeding.

Related questions:

  1. When a police officer pulls me over and asks if I have been drinking, what should I say?
  2. After I am pulled over what does an officer look for?
  3. Should I refuse to take the chemical test?
  4. Can I choose which chemical test I can take?
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