Police have to have probable cause in order to legally pull you over for driving while drinking. While you can have an alcohol blood level up to .08%, it is easy to consume enough to exceed this level. Here are seven reasons why police pull people over for suspected DUI.
Obvious Reasons
- If a person is driving outside of the road lines consistently, this is probable cause for a police officer to pull them over, as it represents a lack of coordination. This is the most apparent effect when people are driving under the influence.
- Sudden increases in speed or sudden decreases in speed indicating sporadic driving.
- Passing traffic signs or running traffic lights is always a reason for police to pull people over.
- Almost hitting other vehicles, missing by an inch or so is apparent probable cause.
Hidden Reasons
- If there are prior DUI charges, this can be determined by the license plate on the car. It is reasonable for police to pull people over for prior charges.
- A person on probation can be subject to being pulled over by police. They can arrest if alcohol is found to any degree.
- Busted lights on the car can be probable cause as well. Police reason that this is both a violation but also a possible sign of a person who uses intoxicants.
It is easy to see what police determine as “probable cause” has loose boundaries. This can vary from state to state, but it is a blanket truth for the most part. Prior offenders face the higher likelihood of being pulled over for a potential DUI. Any traffic infarction can result in getting pulled over by police. At that point, if a person is intoxicated, arrest is inevitable.