Nobody should ever drive while under the influence of alcohol, of course. And, the vast majority of people would never do something so stupid, and risk their lives, and those of their passengers and pedestrians. However, there is a fine line between drunk driving and having a unit of alcohol for lunch – how can you tell if you are over the limit?
So, if you are ever worried there might be more alcohol in your blood than is allowed, read on. Here’s everything you need to know about being pulled over by the police who suspect you of driving under the influence.
Stay safe when pulling over
As soon as a police officer asks you to pull over, they will start making a case against you. They will watch you as you pull over, and if you are unsafe or erratic, they will add it to their report. Don’t stop until it is completely safe to do so – and try and keep as calm as possible. It’s also vital that you don’t make any sudden movements, and remain at the wheel with your hands in the ten to two position.
Be nice
Don’t be rude with a police officer – or things will get uglier than they need to be. If you want to get arrested, then the easiest thing to do is to chat back at them, be angry, and start running your mouth off. It won’t do you any favors and will result in a far less agreeable experience. Go along with everything they say with regards to staying in or getting out of the car. Anything you do that will prevent them from doing their jobs is going to go against you.
Don’t incriminate yourself
Police officers will try and get some evidence out of you by asking if you have had anything to drink. The idea is that you implicate yourself, making their job a lot easier when it comes to getting a conviction. So, give your name, registrations and license to the officer, but you don’t have to answer specific questions about alcohol. Just say they you have been advised not to answer those questions. That said, you should never tell lies to an officer of the law. If it is found later on that you are dishonest, it will go against you in court.
Don’t take the roadside tests
An officer may ask you to take a sobriety test, and they are also likely to breathalyze you. However, avoid doing either of these things on the roadside. Sobriety tests are up to nothing but the officer’s interpretation, and whether or not you pass is down to their interpretations. The roadside breathalyzer is notorious for being inaccurate. You are allowed to refuse the test and travel to the nearest police station. A good DUI attorney will always recommend that you go for a breath test, rather than the blood test. They are far more inaccurate, and easier to pick holes in during the court process.
Get in touch with your attorney
Finally, it’s time to get in contact with your lawyer. They will want to know everything you remember about the incident, so write it all down as you remember it. An experienced firm of DUI lawyers will fight for your rights, and ensure that the court is as lenient as possible.
Good luck – and don’t drink and drive!