A Texas State Trooper will usually ask a driver to pull over when he or she either witnesses or suspects the driver of committing a traffic offence such as speeding, reckless driving, or driving while intoxicated. In the event the trooper suspects DWI, he or she will ask the driver to undergo certain field sobriety and breathalyzer tests. However, before asking conducting those tests, the trooper will try to look for certain physical and behavioral signs, which indicate that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Once the driver stops the car, the trooper will come up to the driver’s window and the first thing that he or she is likely to pay attention to are the driver’s eyes. Alcohol usually causes red and watery eyes and makes the eyelids look droopy. It also makes the intoxicated person blink continuously or force him or her to try to see with one eye only in order to eliminate double vision. Additionally, alcohol can affect the driver’s inhibitions and the ability to make judgments. For example, an alcohol-impaired person may behave overly excited, may speak too loudly, may resort to profanity, or may even get violent.
If a Texas State Trooper is unable to determine whether it’s a case of DWI by looking at the driver’s eyes only, he or she will try to check the driver’s bodily coordination. For instance, an intoxicated person usually stands with his or her feet wide apart to gain extra balance, and if that person finds a support, he or she tends to lean against that support. Also, alcohol impairment may cause the driver to fumble while taking out the license and registration or take too much time replying to even some very basic questions.
There are other signs of alcohol impairment, with most being associated with bodily movement and coordination. It is important to keep in mind, though, that there are things other than alcohol that can cause these signs. For example, various medications and sleep deprivation can make the driver appear as if he or she is intoxicated. Sadly, it is often difficult for a driver to prove his or her innocence during the traffic stop. Therefore, in the event a person is apprehended for suspected DWI, it may be helpful to speak with a DWI defense attorney at the earliest possible opportunity.
