Today's post about a person arrested under the suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) brings up an interesting point. What do officers look for that might lead them to believe that a driver is operating impaired?
Here's a list:
-Turning with a wide radius
-Straddling center or lane marker
-Appearing to be drunk
-Almost striking an object or vehicle
-Weaving
-Driving on other than designated roadway
-Swerving
-Slow speed (more than 10 mph below limit)
-Drifting
-Following too closely
-Tires on center or lane markers
-Braking erratically
-Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
-Signaling inconsistent with driving actions (or failing to signal)
-Stopping/braking inappropriately
-Turning abruptly or illegally
-Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
-Headlights off at night or when otherwise required
And then there are the post-stop cues that police read:
-Difficulty/fumbling with motor vehicle controls
-Moving about the vehicle as if to conceal items
-Difficulty exiting the vehicle
-Fumbling with driver's license or registration
-Repeating questions or comments
-Swaying or unsteady on feet
-Leaning on the vehicle or other object
-Slurred speech
-Slow to respond to officer or officer must repeat himself
-Providing incorrect information or changing answers
-Odor of alcohol
-Disheveled appearance
-Glassy or bloodshot eyes
-Presence of open alcohol containers in the vehicle or on person
They look for dollar signs it's all about creating revenue the statistics show sober drivers are in more accidents.
ReplyDeleteSince so much attention is being paid to "Drinking and Driving" today; I have a question that I know the answer to,I think. Here goes.
ReplyDelete(If you have a friend whos drinking is completly out of control and they often get in their vehicle and leave your house,(after you have fed them and tryed to get them to bed) then they go down the road and cause an accident and KILL someones child or they put someone in a wheel-chair, am I morally responsible for what their actions and neglect have caused? Do I have more responsibility in this than I want to admit? Even if I had not had any alcohol at all and they just showed up to my home drunk because they start to early. Am I still responsible?
"-Appearing to be drunk"
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmmm. I hope that would be an obvious sign.
The liberals want anybody but the perpetrator held accountable.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes we do 12:28. Your insight and intelligence are astounding.
ReplyDeleteI was really talking on a more personal type level. You know inside of me. At what point is everyone responsible for themselves, and at what point does my responsibility start and stop. Man I do not want to live with that on my conscience. And its probably not a matter of if anymore, its a matter of when. I feel it in my bones.
ReplyDelete12:36
ReplyDeleteMan has built religions and cultures based on guilt. And in the end, what have we got but more guilt. It's a human condition.
In the end, it's your call. It might be good to talk with someone you trust and whose opinion you respect. You've turned this over in your head a thousand times and looked at it as many ways as you can think of, and beaten yourself up the whole way. Time to let it go. Get help to do it or it'll follow you around forever - and that would really suck.
Sounds like what how ex-mayor, scary Barrie drives!!
ReplyDeleteWell two sentz your words now match your actions.
ReplyDeletemost DUI stops are profiling. I have been stopped and was checked for DUI when leaving the hospital @ 2:00 am, the cop said he stopped me because I touched the center line and was driving 5mph below the posted limit.
ReplyDeleteMy wife has been stopped for suspected DUI again it was very early in the AM, the officer used the same excuse, said she touched the center line. I was inconvenient but I didn't mind, at least I know they are looking for folks that may very well cause an accident and possibly kill someone.
I really thank you for responding but nothing consumes me, I dont work that way. Inside Im strong and Im protected. I have indeed talked it over with the person that I trust more than anyone in the world, my wife. She thinks that I cant control the world and everyone is not my responsibility. Then I think, what if its my kid that they kill. Its a tough one thats for sure. For now I quess I will keep unhooking their coil wire when their not looking. Their getting wise to that though. Thanks for caring about me on the inside, Im stronger than I ever wanted to be and Im only half way there.
ReplyDeleteWhat "actions"? Everything Two Sentz has "done" has been blog in the form of "words" has it not?
ReplyDeleteYour wife KNOWS you can't control the world and everyone ISN'T your responsibility. There has to be middle ground.
ReplyDeleteI know, maybe thats what Im looking for.
ReplyDeleteTo the person with the drunk friend. I don't know legally. But if you didn't serve them the alcohol, I don't think you are responsible. Especially if you tried to stop them.
ReplyDeleteIf this is a regular occurence, tell your friend next time you will call the cops on them -- and do it.
The life you save may be your friend's. Or your kid's.
That's what I would do rather than worry or regret the rest of my life.
Two sentz circle talk NO MEANING only weak sarcasm
ReplyDeleteIm old school aint no snitching. Cant do it.
ReplyDeleteI've been known to take peoples keys. One guy was tricky. He knew he was driving home himself. I was more sly.
ReplyDeleteI waited until he had a snoot full. I told him "you're not going anywhere because I have your keys!" He grinned and took them out of his pocket to show me when like grease lightning I snatched them out of his hand.
He wasn't a happy camper but I managed the bar and he was an employee/customer. Leaving he kicked the door off the hinge of the bar a bit, I fixed that and he didn't drive home, it would have been his 3rd DUI before the age of twenty five.
He hated me for about 2 days. Didn't bother me one bit. I would have rather he hated me for life than to have his blood on my hands. Don't unhook the coil wire, take it!
Left one out: Driving a broken down POS!
ReplyDelete12:12 a few yrs ago a man left his parents house in Salisbury after having a few beers..ya know normal for some after a long week at work..relax w/the folks on the way home w/the kids. this was also the first night of the salisbury festival. on his way home he had a problem rounding a turn on old ocean city rd immediately after passing the school right there at winter place farms. this accident killed his 5 yr old son who was sitting in the front seat of his work van, not properly secured in a child seat. the daughter was sitting in the rear tossed all around causing her to break her leg. I've wondered myself how much blame his parents should feel knowing he was driving after a few beers but also driving a work van that didn't have any proper seating. This man had also had prior drinking and driving arrest. So, are his parents also at fault?
ReplyDelete