Your Driving Habits May Result in a DUI Charge
Before they even pull you over for DUI, West Virginia police officers typically have a preconceived idea that you are intoxicated. It may seem unfair for law enforcement officers to assert that you are impaired before even stopping you, but they receive months of training on how to recognize a drunk driver.
Attorney Harley Wagner believes that you don’t deserve to get a DUI charge for doing something as minor as swerving out of your lane or driving below the posted speed limit. Harley obtains hundreds of hours of DUI defense training and has educated police officers on how to administer field sobriety tests, meaning he knows exactly what cops look for in a DUI suspect.
As such, it’s important to be aware of the 4 signs of impairment that WV police officers look for so you can best avoid trouble with the law. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, there are four signs of impairment that officers look for before pulling over a DUI suspect:
Problems Maintaining Proper Lane Position
- Weaving
- Weaving across lane lines
- Straddling a lane line
- Swerving
- Turning with a wide radius
- Drifting
- Almost striking a vehicle or other object
Speed and Braking Problems
- Stopping problems (too far, too short, or too jerky)
- Accelerating or decelerating for no apparent reason
- Varying speed
- Slow speed (10+ mph under the limit)
Vigilance Problems
- Driving in opposing lanes or wrong way on one-way
- Slow response to traffic signals
- Slow or failure to respond to the officer’s signals
- Stopping in a lane for no apparent reason
- Driving without headlights at night
- Failure to signal or signal inconsistent with action
Judgment Problems
- Following too closely
- Improper or unsafe lane change
- Illegal or improper turn (too fast, jerky, sharp, etc.)
- Driving on other than the designated roadway
- Stopping inappropriately in response to the officer
- Inappropriate or unusual behavior (throwing, arguing, etc.)
- Appearing to be impaired
Don’t be fooled by these signs of impairment, as they don’t always indicate that you are driving while intoxicated. If you are accused of DUI in West Virginia, it is best to retain an attorney from the state’s only law firm focusing on DUI defense. For over 20 years, Harley Wagner has helped drivers resolve their DUI charges and will work diligently to help you enjoy the same.
To get started on your legal defense, contact Harley at (304) 461-6000 now!