Colorado Springs DUI Lawyer
Why You May Get Pulled Over On Suspicion of DUI
Colorado police officers are trained to watch drivers in a certain way. One of the things officers look for while they're on the roads are signs that a driver is not entirely in control of the vehicle, which may indicate that the driver is driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while their ability is impaired by alcohol (DWAI), both of which are prohibited by Colorado law. If you are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, it may be because the officer observed any of the following behaviors.
Problems staying in the lane. Swerving, weaving, or letting the vehicle wander partly or entirely into the other lane may be read as indications that a driver is intoxicated. The car might almost hit another car, the curb, or another object before the driver rights it at the last minute. The driver might also make turns that are too wide or too tight for the roadway.
Problems maintaining a consistent speed. Speeding up too suddenly, driving too fast for the speed limit or conditions, driving too slowly, or speeding up and slowing down erratically might all imply to an officer on patrol that a driver may be intoxicated.
Problems with braking. Stopping suddenly for no apparent reason, stopping too far away from an intersection or light, or not stopping until the car is past the intersection or light (if at all) are all on the list of suspicious acts that might indicate an intoxicated driver.
Problems making important driving decisions. Since an officer cannot see inside the driver's head, they have to guess this problem exists by observing behaviors that it might cause. These include turning the wrong way on a one-way street, ignoring signs or lights, or stopping at an intersection or in the middle of the road for no apparent reason, while the driver tries to figure out what to do. Failing to use headlights at night or failing to signal before turning or changing lanes might also fall into this category.
Vehicle violations. An officer's attention might also be drawn to a vehicle not because it's acting oddly, but because the officer sees another violation. A broken light, an illegal lane change, speeding, or expired license plates are just a few of the possible violations that might draw an officer's attention to a certain car.
Even a quick glance at the possible reasons a driver may be pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving makes it clear that the sorts of things police use to pull drivers over aren't caused by alcohol or drug use alone. For instance, a driver may drive too slowly or make a sudden stop or wrong turn if the driver is looking for an unfamiliar address, especially at night. A driver may swerve because an animal runs into the road, or because a sudden emergency inside the car temporarily distracted the driver. Additionally, many medical conditions can make it difficult for drivers to make sudden decisions or cause unexpected attacks that influence the driver's ability to keep the car moving properly. Finally, violations like broken taillights may have nothing to do with the driver's level of sobriety whatsoever—but they can still get a driver pulled over.
Under Colorado law, police are expected to have probable cause to stop a vehicle if they suspect its driver is intoxicated or has committed another crime or vehicle violation. Probable cause can be based on any number of things the officer observes, but it cannot be made up after the fact. If you have been arrested for or charged with drunk driving in Colorado, please don't hesitate to contact the experienced Colorado Springs DUI attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. We will examine your case carefully and fight to protect your rights and build an aggressive defense against the charges brought against you.
