Let me start off by saying... it is illegal to drive drunk!! In NO WAY does this journal entry give you permission to drive while intoxicated. This post is only supposed to be informational and not be actually used for driving after bar hopping, keg parties, or sitting alone in your home getting smashed.
With that out of the way... let's get down to business!
Even though it is illegal to drive to drunk, there may be a situation where there is other solution but to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after a couple beers. For instance, you might have been at a party and all your driving friends are bombed beyond belief, but you have only had 4 beers and seem to be walking fine. Or, you are at a party and the host gets incredibly pissed with everyone there, then proceeds to kick everyone out when you had planned on crashing on the couch. Or, maybe you just think it's fun to drive around with a nice heavy buzz on. All of these situations are hard to plan for, but don't freak out! There are things to do that will aid you in your drunken travels.
Seeing as how being pulled over is the first step in getting yourself a nice heap of D.U.I. fun, it's good to know what the police are actually looking for when spotting a moving vehicle. Some of these things are common knowledge, but others are tips gained from a drug and alcohol class that I personally took a couple years back.
1: Excessive SpeedEven though this is a common reason to pull anyone over, this is one of the leading signs a person has been drinking. A drunk driver will feel very confident in his or her driving skills and / or will lose track of how fast they are actually traveling.
2A: Vehicle SwervingThis one is pretty obvious. A drunk driver will have a hard time keeping their vehicle within the lines of the road. This is because alcohol reduces reaction time and the ability to focus. Basically, they are looking for an ADHD driver that is focused on anything but the road.
2B: Vehicle DodgingThis is pretty much like swerving, but with more of a method to it. For instance, a drunk driver will swerve all the way to the right of their lane in the event of an oncoming vehicle. Then, the driver will practically take up the entire opposing lane when the vehicle has passed. Basically, just focus on your lane, and you should be fine.
3: Drivers Position within the VehicleIf you are crouching the steering wheel (you have your face buried in it) a police officer will take that as you being intoxicated. This happens because a drunk driver will have a hard time seeing the road and will naturally put their face closer to it thinking that it helps. In all reality, keeping your head up and away from the steering wheel is much better for seeing the road. So, don't crouch the wheel.
4: Loud MusicIf you pass a cop and they can hear your stereo blasting, they will assume you have been drinking. This is because alcohol will actually numb your inner ear (as well as the rest of your body) and make it difficult to hear things. Ever wonder why a party gets a lot louder after a couple hours of drinking? That's because everyone needs to talk louder for everyone else to hear them. Same thing goes for when your buddy comes home, drunk off his ass, screaming about how great chips are.
5: Vehicle Up keeping / Time of DayWhen it is a certain time of day or night, the cops are actually looking for drunk drivers and will pull any car over that they can for whatever reason they feel necessary. This greatly includes a burned out headlight, tail light, blinker, and license plate lamp. This also includes noisy brakes, broken muffler, etc. Cops are more likely to pull you over around the time your local bars close, if not earlier. The later it is, the better. If I had to give you a safe time, I would say around 4a.m. if not 5. So please, if you plan on driving drunk, take a look at your car before you start drinking and make sure it's up to par.
There are many reasons why people get pulled over, some that I didn't mention. I'm sure you can think of a billion other reasons on your own. The cold hard facts are that if you drive drunk, and you get caught, you will go to jail. I know from experience...
In my situation, I had drank a whole bottom of Tequila and passed out at a stop light that happened to be in the middle of the highway in Middletown, CT. That doesn't mean I passed out and drove right through it, it means I stopped at it, and went to sleep. After someone had called the cops (rightfully so) they found me asleep, with my foot on the brake, and the music blaring past audible recognition. I had no business driving that night, or morning, and I completely deserved what I got for doing so.
My only real advice would have to be not to drive if you are drunk. That is the only sure way to never get a D.U.I. But, if you have to, take everything I have said here into consideration. It just might save your ass.
Labels: Arrested, Choices, Driving Drunk, DUI, How To