Jacobsen Law Firm
  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. criminal defense
  4.  » Most common reasons for DWI stops

Most common reasons for DWI stops

On Behalf of | Jul 26, 2023 | criminal defense

There are many reasons law enforcement pulls drivers over for suspected DWIs. Law enforcement knows the most common things to look for when patrolling highways.

Some behaviors on the part of drivers raise a red flag and indicate a possible individual driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Some of the most common indicators that law enforcement looks out for include:

Car accidents

This is one of the most common and apparent indicators of a DWI. People who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs are much more likely to be involved in car accidents than people who are not.

When there is a car accident, law enforcement ensures to immediately identify whether driving under the influence was the cause, either partly or entirely, of the accident.

Speeding

Drivers under the influence tend to lose the ability to realize they are driving as fast as they are. Alcohol and substances impair drivers’ ability to drive safely and follow traffic rules.

Tips from concerned citizens

Most drivers do not know that many other drivers or witnesses call 911 when they see a person driving in a way that indicates that something is wrong.

Whether it is speeding, swerving, running red lights or violating any other traffic rules is likely to cause great concern in citizens, who call 911 to prevent an accident or catastrophic consequences due to the driver’s impairment.

Issues with the vehicle

Vehicle violations like a broken license plate or non-working light are additional reasons why police pull drivers over for suspected DWIs. Having an expired registration is another one and a very important one.

Although this appears unfair, it is allowed under Minnesota law and law enforcement can pull a driver over for these reasons, which can lead to the discovery of the individual driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There are many reasons why law enforcement can pull drivers over. Some of these reasons are clear indicators of a DWI, and others are not necessarily clear indicators of a DWI but could lead to the discovery of a DWI.

Understanding the risks of driving under any of these circumstances is critical because the consequences can be severe for the driver, especially if it is not their first offense.