DUI Traffic Stop FAQs

The Initial DUI Stop

A drunk driving stop typically starts as a basic traffic violation, such as rolling through a stop sign or driving with a broken taillight. If a police officer suspects that you have been consuming alcohol based on your demeanor or the scent on your breath, they will ask you to perform field sobriety tests right on the side of the roadway. Before requesting these assessments, the officer needs to observe a minimum of two clear indications of impairment.

Signs of Intoxication

Law enforcement personnel receive training to spot specific indicators of drinking and driving. However, it is important to note that other harmless factors can also cause these behaviors. A skilled Mercer DUI attorney knows that police look for common signs, including:

• Red, glassy, bloodshot, or watery eyes
• Slurred speech
• Trouble comprehending the officer’s questions
• Swaying or instability while standing
• Argumentative, excessively cheerful, combative, or unusual attitudes
• Stumbling while trying to walk
• An inability to multitask and follow instructions
• A flushed face
• The smell of alcohol on the breath
• Fumbling through a wallet when looking for a driver’s license
• Appearing unsteady when exiting the vehicle
• Leaning on the car for physical support
• A disheveled or untidy physical appearance
• Confusion about the current time or location

The Blood and Breath Test Requirement

Pennsylvania enforces an implied consent law, which mandates that you must submit to breath and blood tests if requested by an officer. By simply obtaining a driver’s license, you have already agreed to participate in these screenings. While you have the option to refuse, doing so triggers an automatic license suspension for a year or more. Furthermore, a refusal can be used to indicate drunk driving. A reliable Mercer criminal lawyer can explain the full legal consequences of a test refusal.

Field Sobriety Tests

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has established standardized field sobriety tests to help police gauge a driver’s intoxication level. The most commonly utilized assessments include:

• Reciting the alphabet
• The one-legged stand
• The horizontal gaze nystagmus test (tracking a light with your eyes)
• Touching your nose with your finger
• Walking in a straight line

DUI Penalties

Consequences for a DUI conviction vary greatly depending on the severity of the incident. A first-time, simple DUI may lead to a driver’s license suspension, fines, community service, and probation. If your blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.10 percent, you will face enhanced punishments. Repeat DUI offenses bring much harsher mandatory sentences. Additional penalties can include driver safety training classes, alcohol rehabilitation programs, and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device. If you are facing charges, contact us and speak with a dedicated Mercer DUI attorney today by calling 412.387.6901.