If you’ve been drinking and driving, you’ll probably remember the feeling of guilt and shame that followed. It was probably one of the worst feelings in the world. Luckily for you, statistics show that most people who drink and drive remember that feeling of guilt and shame as well. This can help you if you ever find yourself facing charges for drunk driving in Houston. The same is not true for the police officers who will catch you in the act and have to decide whether to take you in or let you go home. The way you appear and smell can be a dead giveaway that you’ve been drinking. The smell of alcohol on your breath, if you haven’t had time to brush your teeth before driving, can be a clear indication that you’ve been drinking and drive. Likewise, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and other signs of intoxication are also telltale signs that you’ve been drinking and driving. If you suspect that you may be pulled over for drunk driving, there are several ways to tell if you’re being pulled over for a DWI in Houston:
Speed and Diversion Road
If you’re being pulled over for a DWI, the officer will likely slow down beside your car. You’ll be given a ticket for “driving too fast for conditions” and/or “driving without due care and attention.” This is a common practice to catch those who are driving drunk. If they didn’t catch you, they would have given you a ticket for driving too fast for conditions, which is a secondary offense. Diversion Roads are usually the main streets through a city or town. If you’re being pulled over on Diversion Road, it’s usually because the officer has seen you driving too slow for the conditions.
Grimacing, Slurred Speech, and Shaking
If you’re being pulled over for a DWI, the officer will likely ask you a few questions, including where you’re headed and where you’re coming from. He’ll also ask you to step out of the car and walk a straight line. If you fail any of these tests, or any other test the officer may try to administer, you’re in deep water. The officer will likely administer a field sobriety test to see if you’re impaired. The most common field sobriety test is the one-leg stand test. In this test, you stand on one leg with your hands by your side. The officer will time you for how long you can stand on one leg before you fall down. The general guideline is that if you can stand on one leg for more than nine seconds, you’re fine to drive. Anything below that time is cause for concern. If you fail the one-leg stand test, you’re likely going to be arrested for DWI.
Hand-in-Hand Breathing Test
If you’re being pulled over for a DWI, the officer will likely ask you to take a breathalyzer test. He’ll also ask you to follow these instructions: “Put your arm out and touch the car in front of you. Put your hand out and let me see your fingers.” What he’s looking for is whether or not you’re holding your breath. If you’re holding your breath, that’s a clear indication that you’re impaired and the officer should suspect that you’ve been drinking. If the officer suspects that you’ve been drinking and driving, he may administer a breathalyzer test. If the breathalyzer test confirms the officer’s suspicions, you’ll likely be arrested for DWI.
If the Officer Asks to See Your License and Registration
After being pulled over for a DWI, the first thing that an officer will do is ask to see your license and registration. If you can’t find them, he may ask you to step out of the car and put your hands on the car. If he sees anything suspicious about you or your car, he may ask you to get out of the car. If he doesn’t see anything suspicious, he may let you drive away even though he has no idea who you are. If you decide to drive away, remember that a DWI conviction could affect your ability to find employment. A DWI conviction can put you on a probationary period, where you can’t drive for a set period of time, depending on the state. If you decide to leave your car and walk home, that’s your decision, but the officer may be suspicious. He may decide to follow you home to see if you drive back with alcohol on your breath.
Conclusion
If you’re being pulled over for a DWI, you can increase your chances of getting out of the situation by following these tips. First, be sure to have a good story prepared. You may be tempted to say something like, “I’m sorry officer; I really screwed up. Can I please tell you what happened?” This is the worst thing you can do, because it gives the officer the impression that you’re trying to cover up something. Instead, stick to your prepared story. It’s best to be prepared, so that you don’t say anything that you can’t back up. Don’t panic or act out. Act calm, cool, and collected. You never know how the situation will end. You may not have to spend a night in jail, but it will probably be a long night.