Common DWI-Drunk Driving Questions - Part II

What do the cops look for seeking out drunk drivers on the highway? 

Believe it or not, it isn't red sports cars, those pick-ups with the loud exhaust, or just about anybody out driving around at 3:00 am. The National Highway Traffic Administration has compiled a Top 20 list of the things that the the cops look for when attempting to determine if someone is driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Double the Letterman - none of the fun... Drum roll - please:

20. Headlights off
19. Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
18. Turning abruptly or illegally
17. Stopping inappropriately
16. Slow responses to traffic signals
15. Signaling inconsistent with driving conduct
14. Driving into opposing lane or oncoming traffic
13. Braking erratically
12. Driving onto the center line and/or "fog" line
11. Drifting (in your lane)
10. Following too closely
 9. Stopping without cause - in your traffic lane
 8. Speeding less than 10 m.p.h. below the posted limit
 7. Swerving
 6. Driving somewhere other than the roadway
 5. Weaving
 4. Almost striking object or other vehicle
 3. "Appearing" to be drunk
 2. Straddling the center-line

And the #1 symptom the police look for when attempting to determine whether someone is driving while drunk - Wide turns.

Speeding, incidentally, is not a common symptom of DWI. Apparently, that's because of the (often) quicker judgment and reflexes necessary when traveling at a high rate of speed - which to those who know may tend to indicate sobriety rather than intoxication.

No matter the rhyme or reason, a DWI arrest is a serious matter - for you, for your family, and for your future. If you've never been through something like this before - and more than a few of us have - you should strongly consider not going it alone. At the very least, sit down and talk to a Minnesota DWI Attorney - to understand what rights you have and how you can get the results you desire. 

Understand this, just because you've been arrested for Drunk Driving does not mean you'll be convicted. Make sure someone looks out for you - just like you're looking out for you future.