Signs of DUI after you are stopped

I'm on a campaign this week to keep people from drinking and driving.  Many think they can "get away" with it...and let's be honest; most of us have gotten away with it.  I'm here to tell you it goes beyond "getting away with it."  It is about SAVING LIVES; whether it is yours or someone else's.  

TOO MANY LIVES ARE LOST AT THE HANDS OF DRUNK DRIVERS!!!!!

I am writing about what signs are a give away to police officers after you are pulled over NOT to give you a heads up but to let you know you can't "deceive" the officers.  If I thought this would help people drink, drive and get away with it I would never put these out there...but let's be honest...a drunk cannot control what they do, not do, say, not say, etc. otherwise they wouldn't be a danger on the road!

Psychological Reactions:

• Bloodshot, red, watery and/or drowsy eyes
• Red of flushed face
• Uncontrollable eye movement

About the body:

• Difficulty exiting the car
• Fumbling or inability to find proper paperwork; driver's license/registration/proof of insurance
• Swaying, instability or balance problems
• Leaning on object (vehicle or other person) for support; difficult standing
• Staggering
• Difficulty in operating vehicle controls; window, locks, door handles, etc.

Your appearance:

• Clothing wrinkled, soiled, disheveled, stained
• Odor of alcohol on person or in vehicle

Your behavior:

• Repeating questions or comments
• Slurred or slow speech
• Inappropriate Laughter
• Irrational phrases and sentences
• Slow or unable to answer officers questions
• Provide incorrect answers to questions
• Unresponsiveness to questions asked
• Nervous
• Disrespectful
• Argumentative
• Combative

Before you drink and get behind the wheel of a vehicle....ask yourself this:  Would I want my child, spouse, parent, etc. to be on the road with someone who is in my condition?  And do me a favor...ask yourself this question BEFORE you start drinking.  BEFORE you leave the house.  Make arrangements for a ride home if you plan on drinking.

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Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)
Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Please click HERE to read previous blogs about this subject

Suspected DUI and how they can tell

I'm going to start off by explaining that this information comes from a very good friend who was a DUI police officer so trust this information.

I was very fortunate to participate in a DUI training class.  At the time (which they no longer do) they would bring a group of us in a controlled environment and serve us alcohol.  They recorded how much we drank and the time we drank it.  I have written about this before so some of this may be a repeat but there is additional information here.



A few things I learned in this class:

• Newer police officers will tend to lean towards a DUI roadside test before a veteran police officer will.
• Newer police officers will suspect you are Driving Under the Influence more than a veteran police officer will.

With this being said here is the problem:  You won't know if they are new to the force or if they are veterans until it is too late.  

More learned in this class:

• You cannot fool a veteran cop.  I cannot even fool my friend over the phone!  He knows just by my voice about how much I have had to drink.  I had one glass of wine and he called...and within 60 seconds he knew I had been drinking.
• It doesn't matter how well YOU think you are doing...they know.  Remember the last time you were the sober one with drunks....it's obvious.  Remember; the police officers are sober....and you, well, you are not.
• All the breath mints and eye drops will not stop a police officer "reading" your eyes.  Yes you can pop a breath mint and maybe cover the smell of alcohol on your breath (and don't believe the myth about some alcohols don't have an odor....really?)  You maybe able to get rid of the blood shot eyes by using Visine ® but your eyes will always give you away!!!
• Body language is another "non-verbal" tale if you have been drinking.  If you don't believe me watch your friend before they drink and after they have been drinking for awhile.  

What your eyes will tell the police officer that you have been drinking:

• Ever wonder why the police officer shines a light into your eyes when they approach you? Physiologically your eyes will react when you have been drinking:  Slow pupil reactions: Alcohol tends to affect the speed at which your iris constricts and dilates. A driver that has been drinking alcohol cannot adapt as quickly to oncoming headlights.
• Road side when they ask you to follow their finger:  Decreased peripheral vision: Drinking alcohol has also been shown to decrease the sensitivity of your peripheral vision. This may give you the effect or perception of having tunnel vision.

New Year's Eve is less than a week away.  BEFORE deciding you can drink and drive please know that although not every drunk driver is caught...THINK ABOUT THE LIVES YOU WILL SAVE!  Click HERE to find out about FREE rides home in your neighborhood.

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)
Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

FREE rides this New Year's Eve for Colorado

It is a time to celebrate....I mean we lived through the "End of the World," right?  If you don't drink alcohol than you will be asked to be the designated driver.  What happens if you do drink and so do your friends?  Here are a list of ways to can arrive home safe this 2012-13 New Years Eve Party:





In Pueblo:

Nothing "big" like Colorado Springs BUT:

Jimmy's Tavern located out in Pueblo West is offering FREE pick up and drop off for their Pueblo West Patrons!  They are located at 324 S. McCulloch Blvd.  You can call the at 647-1442 to schedule your time!

In Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley and Denver: (Fox 31 News)

"This New Year’s Eve, CDOT is once again partnering with MillerCoors and RTD which are offering alternative transportation options to Colorado drivers along the Front Range. MillerCoors is offering $10 cab vouchers at select bars and restaurants in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland. In the Denver area, MillerCoors is encouraging people to call 1-800-TAXICAB, a national taxi dispatch service which helps locate the nearest cab company to you."

"In addition to cab vouchers, MillerCoors and RTD are providing free transit rides on New Year’s Eve in the Denver metro area. The free rides start at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and run through 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Although the rides will be free, scheduled service hours are not extended."

You can click HERE for more details about rides home.

Great job to the above businesses!!!  Thank you for helping keep our roads safe!!

If you know of other FREE rides please comment here so we can get the word out!

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)
Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

How to be a good designated driver

Let me assure you there is plenty of ways to be included in the fun (and a few things you can do to create some fun yourself).  Being the designated driver is an important role.  The more prepared you are the better the evening will be...not to mention the more fun you will have.





Be prepared:  There is nothing worse than driving a really drunk person home.  I suggest you have food in your car that will help soak up some alcohol on your ride.  PB sandwiches (no jelly) are good as they don't "drip" on your seats and it will help fill them up.

Take a notebook with you and assign each person a page.  I love to have them sign their name on the first line before they start drinking.  Each time they finish a drink you write what their drink was and have them sign next to it.  You can have a contest on the most legible signature at the end of the night....and let's be honest we love Facebook and can "post" their sheets the next day.  Make sure the bartender/waitstaff/customer takes a group picture BEFORE the drinking begins.

Go to the dollar store and buy a crazy hat or button.  When one has a "drunk moment" (we all know what those are....falling of the chair, falling into a wall, etc.) they have to wear the hat or button until the next "drunk moment."  Don't forget the picture of this.

If you have a great group of people have each person give you $20.00 before the beginning of the night.  The one with the worst signature has to tip the bartender/waitstaff their whole $20.00 and the rest tip $5.00 of their $20.00.  Depending on your group you can either return the remainder to the "non losers" of the signature game or, if everyone agrees, you can keep that as your tip.  

If you feel like you are out of place drinking soda?  Order a non-alcoholic beer or drink.  If your group likes to drink shots (this gets fun with the notebook) have a shot with them....just do it with water, soda or orange juice.

As the designated driver it is your responsibility to keep everyone safe....and of course it is your obligation to take pictures and/or video of the night.  (only do this if you are the type of friend who will respect their privacy and only show them...unless they say you can post it on Facebook).  I have several videos of a friend who rarely drinks but "cut loose" one night at Jimmy's Tavern.  I love to "show" it at friend events to prove he actually does let go and have fun at times.  Of course I have never sent it to anyone, post in on Facebook, or allow anyone to hold my phone when viewing.  You will only remain friends if you are first a friend....but there are no rules that say you can't embarrass them in small groups.  Ask the bartender/waitstaff to take an "end of the night" picture for your notebook.

The next day:  You now have pictures and signatures.....create a memory book of the night out.  If you have a great group of people you can have proof of your memories of that night out.

Now, being the designated driver doesn't seem so bad does it.

Like Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website.

Pueblo Office: 113 W. 12th Street  (Map it)

Colorado Springs Office:  422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 412 (Map it)

Labor Day: Don't drink and drive

How many drinks would it take to be considered drunk? Too drunk to drive? Have you ever wondered....okay have you ever wondered this BEFORE you started drinking and not after?





Okay, one (1) drink per hour is a safe calculation.....it's too hot after that long.

Here is a calculator that tells you (estimate) what your BAC (Blood Alcohol Count) would be after so many drinks in so many hours.....COOL!! BUT.....I just learned that if I have four (4) beers at 6% alcohol in 2 1/12 hours oops DUI. This shocked me because when I have four (4) beers at 6% alcohol in 2 1/2 hours I FEEL FINE....I guess that's where the impairment comes in huh?

So here's the thing. No one wants you to drive drunk or impaired....even bar owners. If you aren't safe you won't return, am I right? It used to be called a $10,000 DUI...well those days are over because the with the increase of insurance, legal fees, fines, bail it could be up to $25,000 when you are finished.....that is $6250.00 PER BEER I just had. MSN has a breakdown of most fees that may be incurred with a DUI. (MSN Money arrive alive).

It is important that if you are going to be drinking please do not drive. Get a designated driver, call a cab or call a friend (hopefully not the friend who was sitting next to you drinking with you). I am going to have to call someone or have a designated driver as the calculator says I am allowed two (2) beers at 6% alcohol in a 2 1/2 hour time span.

Labor Day is a great day to celebrate...just do it safe!!

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