DUI checkpoints are scary, even if you have not done anything wrong. But if you know the do an don’ts of DUI checkpoints, it can help ease your anxiety. However, there are myths out there that you should be aware of. Here are 5 things you may not know about DUI stops.
1. You can drink and drive.
You cannot go over the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit while driving. This does not mean that you cannot have one drink or two, depending on your size. So, if you had one drink at the bar with a friend, it does not mean that you are impaired and cannot drive home.
2. You should not refuse a breathalyzer.
Breathalyzers are very unreliable. Therefore, if you take one and are then arrested for DUI, it is possible that the test results could be considered erroneous. If you refuse the test, you could be forced to do a blood draw to test your BAC level. These tests are considered much more reliable in court. This can lead to a higher conviction rate.
3. You should not lie about drinking.
It can be considered obstruction if you lie to an officer and tell him you have had nothing to drink. It is better to at least say you had one drink because if you take a breathalyzer or blood draw and it shows alcohol, you could face further charges.
4. Officers can make mistakes.
If you are pulled over for a DUI stop, remember that officers can make mistakes and every officer can interpret a situation differently. Therefore, you should keep this in mind and realize that if you are arrested, these interpretations can help in your defense and possible dismissal of charges.
5. You can be stopped at any time for a DUI stop.
If an officer sees any kind of odd driving behavior, they can pull you over. When they pull you over, if they think there is a chance you are driving under the influence, they can request you to perform sobriety tests or take a breathalyzer.
Remember, when subjected to a DUI stop, there are different things that officers look for in your behavior. There are a number of tests they can do, including a breathalyzer. The results of these tests are interpreted by the officer and if arrested, evaluated by the court. The reliance of tests can come into consideration when determining someone’s guilt of driving under the influence or not.