by Mr. Smith

Created on: April 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Being involved in police work has granted me valuable insight into the procedure and mindset of an officer while he or she is in the process of pulling over and inspecting an individual that is intoxicated. Driving away without a DWI or DUI is unlikely, and difficult to achieve, more so for a DWI. However, it is definitely possible.

The first thing officers will look at while pulling you over is simply your positioning on the road. Make sure to pull over to the correct side of the road - that is, the side that correlates with the traffic flow- and park well. Do not park with your wheels turned any way but forward, or with your car angled any way but forward, otherwise the officer's suspicion will heighten. The next thing a police officer will look for is suspicious items, and even the neatness inside the vehicle while he approaches your window. Having bottles and garbage strewn all over the car causes an immediate bias in the officer's mind. The police are used to dealing with "dirt bags" and often assume that someone with a dirty and unorganized car is more likely to be doing something wrong.

Before the officer reaches your window, even before he exits his squad car, have your license and insurance information in your hand so that you, as the intoxicated person, do not fumble for each item and increase the chances of alerting the officer. One of the most commonly observed signs of intoxication is the driver's inability to effectively find his license and insurance information in a decent amount of time. Hence, having the information in your hand will reduce the chance of an officer becoming suspicious of your condition.

When the police officer finally reaches your window, make sure that while in the process of handing over your license and simply sitting in the car, your eye contact with the officer does not exist, and that you speak as minimally and as simply as possible. Make sure to be courteous, but not overly polite, otherwise the officer may think you have a reason for sucking up to him or her. Do NOT look at the officer, and do NOT say more than you have to. They use whatever light they can to check if your eyes are bloodshot or teary, and your speech is usually what gives away your intoxication. What you should do is look down if you must turn towards the officer, or simply look straight at or slightly to the right of the steering wheel if you are not turned towards the officer. Do not appear rigid or worried. A relaxed physical state gives the impression

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