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)