What leads police officers to establish reasonable suspicion?

On Behalf of | Aug 27, 2021 | DUI |

No one living in Alabama wants to get pulled over by a police officer. However, drivers who cause a police officer to establish reasonable suspicion are likely to see red and blue lights flashing behind them. Since a DUI charge often results from reasonable suspicion, it’s helpful to learn why police officers decide to pull drivers over.

Not staying in your lane

Drugs and alcohol can impair your ability to drive in many ways. This sometimes happens when people driving under the influence can’t stay in their designated lane. A police officer might also establish reasonable suspicion when someone frequently changes lanes or starts driving against traffic.

Driving below or above the speed limit

Most people know that speeding is a good way to get pulled over. However, you might not know that driving too slow can also make a police officer suspicious. Someone trying to avoid getting a DUI charge might think that driving slow won’t arise suspicion, but driving unreasonably slowly could attract unwanted attention from police officers.

Having problems with your vehicle

Drivers can be under reasonable suspicion for problems that have to do with their vehicles. These are situations like having a non-functioning headlight or taillight. Since burnt-out vehicle lights can endanger yourself or other drivers, this situation could lead to you getting pulled over.

Getting into a near accident

Many drivers consider themselves lucky to avoid an accident. However, because drugs and alcohol impair someone’s ability to drive, a near-miss can cause an officer to suspect that you’re driving under the influence.

Police officers utilize reasonable suspicion as a reason to pull over drivers. If you’re driving under the influence, an officer’s observations could result in you getting charged with a DUI.