Impairment Signs Police Look for During a DUI Stop

When it comes to DUI stops, police are trained to spot specific signs of impairment that may indicate a driver is under the influence. From erratic driving patterns to physical indicators like slurred speech or bloodshot eyes, officers rely on a set of behaviors and cues to determine whether to conduct further testing for intoxication. Understanding these signs can help you know what to expect if you're pulled over and may even help you navigate the complexities of a DUI case.

If you've been arrested for DUI and believe the assessment may not have been accurate, you have the right to question the evidence and challenge the charges. Consulting with a DUI lawyer can be crucial in understanding the legal grounds to dispute the observations made by law enforcement. Get the guidance you need— call (312) 756-8652 to speak with a DUI attorney in Chicago today to explore your options.

Common Signs of DUI Impairment Police Look For

When on patrol, law enforcement officers are trained to recognize various signs of impairment to identify potential DUI drivers. Here are some common signs they look for:

1. Erratic Driving Behavior: One of the primary indicators of DUI impairment is unusual or erratic driving. Police look for behaviors like swerving, drifting between lanes, sudden braking, or failure to follow traffic signals. These actions suggest that a driver may be struggling with impaired coordination or slowed reaction times.
2. Delayed Reaction to Signals or Lights: Failing to respond promptly to traffic lights or signals can signal impairment. Officers may notice delayed starts at green lights or failure to brake in time for red lights, stop signs, or pedestrian crossings.
3. Driving Too Fast or Too Slow: Driving significantly over or under the speed limit can be a red flag. Drivers under the influence may overcompensate by driving slower to avoid detection or may drive recklessly fast due to impaired judgment.
4. Sudden or Frequent Stops: Impaired drivers may stop suddenly or frequently, even when not necessary. This behavior may stem from confusion, disorientation, or a lack of control over the vehicle.
5. Inability to Maintain Lane Position: Officers often watch for drivers who are unable to stay centered in their lane, as this can indicate impaired motor skills. Swerving, weaving, and abrupt lane changes are considered strong indicators of impairment.
6. Wide or Narrow Turns: Making turns that are too wide, too narrow, or taken at unusual angles suggests impaired judgment. DUI drivers may struggle to accurately assess the road layout or control the steering wheel effectively.
7. Following Too Closely: Impaired drivers often have difficulty judging distances and may tailgate other vehicles. This lack of spatial awareness can be dangerous and is a common sign of DUI.
8. Excessive Use of High Beams or Failure to Dim Lights: Police may also notice a DUI driver using high beams inappropriately or forgetting to dim them for oncoming traffic, indicating impaired awareness and judgment.
9. Physical Appearance and Behavior During a Stop: Once pulled over, officers look for physical signs of impairment, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol or drugs. These signs, along with confusion or an unsteady stance, reinforce the suspicion of DUI.
10. Failing to Follow Instructions: DUI drivers may have difficulty understanding or following simple instructions from the officer. This inability to comply with basic commands often suggests impaired cognitive function.

Recognizing these signs helps law enforcement officers make initial judgments about impairment before conducting further tests, such as field sobriety or breathalyzer tests. If you are stopped for suspected DUI, understanding what officers look for can help you stay informed about the process and your rights.

Field Sobriety Tests: What Officers Look For

When conducting field sobriety tests, officers are trained to look for specific signs of impairment that indicate a driver may be under the influence. Here are some common indicators:

1. Difficulty with Balance and Coordination: One of the primary signs of impairment is trouble maintaining balance, such as swaying, stumbling, or using arms for stability. Officers may ask the driver to perform tests like standing on one leg or walking in a straight line to assess coordination.
2. Inability to Follow Instructions: Officers often give multiple-step instructions, observing if the driver can follow them accurately. Difficulty understanding or remembering instructions may suggest cognitive impairment, a common effect of alcohol or drug use.
3. Eye Movements: The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test checks for involuntary jerking movements of the eyes, which are more pronounced under the influence of alcohol. Officers observe whether the eyes can follow a moving object smoothly or if they display abnormal jerking.
4. Delayed or Slurred Speech: Slurred or slow responses can indicate that the person’s motor skills or cognitive processing are affected, which is a typical result of intoxication.
5. Poor Coordination During Movement Tests: In tests like the Walk-and-Turn, officers watch for heel-to-toe alignment, turning smoothly, and maintaining a straight line. Missing these steps may point to impaired motor skills.
6. Divided Attention Difficulties: Sobriety tests often involve tasks that require focus on more than one action at a time, such as listening to instructions while performing physical movements. Difficulty with these tasks suggests impairment, as intoxication reduces the ability to handle divided attention.
7. Visible Signs of Fatigue or Lethargy: Physical signs like droopy eyelids, unsteady posture, or slow reactions may indicate intoxication, especially if paired with poor test performance.

These signs, combined with other observations such as odor of alcohol or drug paraphernalia, help officers determine probable cause for arrest. However, these signs can sometimes be influenced by non-alcohol-related factors, which is why challenging field sobriety test results can be a part of a DUI defense strategy.

How to Challenge Police Observations of Impairment if Charged With a DUI

Challenging police observations of impairment is a key aspect of defending against DUI charges. Law enforcement officers often make subjective judgments based on their observations during a traffic stop, but these observations can be disputed through various legal defenses. Here are some ways to challenge police observations of impairment if you’re facing DUI charges:

• Questioning the Officer's Training and Experience: Officers are trained to identify signs of impairment, but mistakes can happen. Your attorney may challenge the officer's qualifications and training, questioning whether they correctly followed standard protocols for assessing impairment.
• Challenging the Reason for the Traffic Stop: If the officer did not have a valid reason for pulling you over in the first place, any observations made during the stop may be inadmissible in court. Your lawyer could argue that the stop was unlawful, which would invalidate any evidence obtained thereafter, including the officer’s observations of impairment.
• Disputing the Officer’s Observations: Officers may look for certain behaviors such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or an unsteady gait, but these signs can be caused by factors other than alcohol or drugs, such as fatigue, medical conditions, or even allergies. Your attorney can argue that the officer misinterpreted or overemphasized these behaviors as signs of intoxication.
• Highlighting Environmental Factors: Conditions such as poor lighting, rain, or heavy traffic can contribute to the officer’s perception of impairment. If the officer’s observations were influenced by external factors that compromised their ability to assess your behavior accurately, your lawyer can present this as part of your defense.
• Lack of Consistency in the Officer's Report: If the officer’s observations of your behavior are inconsistent or unclear between their initial report and their testimony, this can be used to undermine their credibility. Your lawyer may scrutinize any discrepancies in the officer’s account of the situation to weaken the prosecution's case.
• Alternative Explanations for Your Behavior: Certain medical conditions, physical or mental health issues, or even stress can cause behaviors that resemble signs of impairment. Your Chicago defense attorney can present these as alternative explanations for the behaviors the officer noted during the stop.

By challenging the officer's observations and presenting a solid defense, your attorney can potentially weaken the evidence against you, leading to a reduced likelihood of conviction or a dismissal of charges.

Get Help for DUI Arrests and Charges

If you've been charged with a DUI based on police observations, it’s essential to understand that these signs are not always clear indicators of impairment. Factors like fatigue, stress, or medical conditions can sometimes be mistaken for intoxication. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer can help assess the circumstances of your case and challenge any questionable evidence presented by law enforcement.