You had a couple of alcoholic drinks and decide to get behind the wheel. You mistakenly assume that you can avoid a drunk driving charge if you check your brake lights and drive under the speed limit. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are hundreds of cues that tip law enforcement that a driver is intoxicated.
An officer only needs reasonable suspicion to pull you over. Once stopped, the officer can legally request that you take a test, such as a breathalyzer, to use as evidence against you for a drunk driving conviction. Most people assume that just because they fail a breathalyzer, it equates to an automatic conviction. However, you may still have a defense that will successfully work in your favor.
If you or a loved one has been charged with drunk driving, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney to fight the charges and avoid a conviction. Until then, this article can provide you with an overview of the common signs that indicate drunk driving.
4 Signs That Indicate Drunk Driving
Below are four signs that commonly indicate drunk driving to law enforcement:
- Abnormal Accelerating and Braking. When you are under the influence of alcohol, you have a distorted ability to judge speed and distance, making you travel either above or below the speed limit. Motorists under the influence also display sudden stop-accelerate patterns, generally for no clear reason at all.
- Difficulty Staying in One Lane. Drunk drivers often weave between lanes, unpredictably swerve their vehicle, and drive into objects outside of the lane. They also forget to use their signals and drift across lanes or straddle lines.
- Risky Behavior. Intoxicated drivers often feel invincible. As a result they excessively speed and overtake vehicles – all common reasons for a valid DWI stop.
- Signs of Inattention and Confusion. Motorists who are severely intoxicated generally do not have any idea what is happening around them. They may not be aware of obstacles on the road, can travel in the wrong direction, use the wrong turn signal, or even drive at night without turning their headlights on.
These are only four of many telltale signs of intoxicated driving. However, it is important to note that just because you are charged with drunk driving, it does not mean an automatic conviction. An experienced New Jersey DWI attorney can evaluate the facts surrounding your DWI arrest and construct a good defense that may help you avoid conviction.
Call a DWI Drug Attorney in New Jersey
If you or someone you know has been issued DWI citation in New Jersey, an experienced attorney can help. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with New Jersey DWI attorney Dan T. Matrafajlo, please call the Law Offices of Dan T. Matrafajlo at (908) 248-4404.
