Tips To Avoid Being Stopped For a DUI

First of all, do not drink and drive! If you have been drinking, it is always best to catch a ride with a designated driver or call a cab. The cost of a cab ride home is much less expensive than having to fight a DUI.

However, there are some things that you can do to avoid attracting the attention of a police officer, getting pulled over and being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).

For example, always make certain that your turn signals, tail lights and head lights are working. In addition, make sure your inspection sticker and license plates are up-to-date. There are too many times when a person who has been drinking is stopped not for the way that they are driving, but because a head light or tail light is out. When the police officer comes to the driver’s window, they smell alcohol on your breath and a DUI investigation ensues.

When you are driving, do not go too fast or too slow. These are things officers look for when they are searching for reasons to pull a vehicle over, especially in areas that have many bars and restaurants. Certain areas such as this are known to be popular spots for police to write a DUI. Do not forget to turn on your headlights if they do not come on automatically. Do not forget to put your seat belt on. Do not attempt to eat, text, make phone calls, adjust the stereo or do anything that will cause you to drive erratically. Especially avoid swerving, going off the pavement, not signaling turn and lane changes, stopping too quickly or too far away from traffic signals.

Keep in mind that officers on patrol who are looking for impaired drivers will have particular hours that most arrests occur. They will begin around 10:00 p.m. and escalate after midnight until 3:00 a.m. Avoid traveling if at all possible during those prime times.

Do not drive through fast food facilities. Not only are police watching those facilities for late night hunger attacks by people who have been out drinking, the facilities themselves can detect you are drunk and alert the police.

Most of all you need to be courteous and respectful to the officers. This can go a long way to how you appear on the police video that is being shot from their cruiser. Be polite and on your best behavior because how you appear can be used as evidence for or against you.

Unfortunately, once the DUI investigation begins, there is little you can do to keep from being arrested and taken to jail. No matter how many times the officer tells you that you will be let go if you pass one test or the other, that simply is not true.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DUI, you need to seek advice from a California criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling DUI cases.

Ronald N. Hoffman, with Hoffman & Associates, has been practicing criminal defense law for over 35 years and has a proven track record of success.

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