Overly aggressive cops aren’t always to blame when someone is pulled over on suspicion of DUI. In fact, some drivers practically beg for attention from law enforcement. Perhaps the best known error is driving around in a car with a broken tail light. Once the cops see one, they’ll watch you much more closely to see if there’s another, more compelling reason to pull you over.
Just How Deadly are Careless Driving Errors Mixed with Impairment?
In 2010, over 10,000 Americans were killed in accidents involving drunk drivers. In addition to all of that tragic loss of life, those incidents cost the country about $37 billion in medical fees, lost wages and other expenses. In fact, during one recent year, the state of Massachusetts alone had to cover about $798 million in drunk driving expenses.
Furthermore, at least one person was killed every 51 minutes in 2010 by a drunk or impaired driver. In fact, it’s been estimated that the average DUI offender gets behind the wheel of a car 80 times a year while impaired.
The following list notes many of the behaviors or oversights that often cause many sober or marginally impaired people to be pulled over on suspicion of DUI.
Careless Driving Habits that Often Attract Surveillance
- Speeding. Whether you speed on purpose or do so unintentionally, you’ll almost definitely get the chance to count backwards for the police or hop around on one foot while reciting the alphabet;
- Failing to Offer Proper Traffic Signals. If you nearly cause an accident because you failed to let the other drivers know what you were planning to do with a proper hand or turn signal – you may need legal help sooner rather than later;
- Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road or Highway. If you’re caught doing this, you can pretty much bet on being given a field sobriety test and spending the night in jail;
- Failing to Wear a Seatbelt. The police continue to watch for this – especially when they see you pull out of a bar’s parking lot late at night;
- Driving Without Headlights. People who have had one drink or joint too many often forget to turn on their headlights;
- Riding in a Vehicle Overloaded with Passengers. While it’s always wise to try and have a designated driver, cops can pretty easily tell when far too many people are riding in one vehicle – increasing the chances that even the driver has had too much to drink;
- Failing to Properly Maintain Your Car. When your muffler is hanging loose or your turn signal is broken, you’re greatly increasing your chances of being pulled over by a cop;
- Weaving In and Out of Traffic or Expressing Road Rage. If you’re constantly honking at other drivers or playing games like following too closely or trying to run others off the road – you’re likely to be pulled over for a complete set of sobriety tests.
While it’s always safest to never drive after using alcohol or drugs, you can avoid carelessly compromising your freedom by obeying all traffic rules and maintaining your car in good condition.
Should you ever be stopped on suspicion of DUI, be sure to contact the Law Offices of Russell J. Matson to learn more about your rights and obtain legal representation.
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By Elizabeth Smith
