Dos and Don’ts If You’re Pulled Over for Drinking and Driving

Being pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence can be terrifying, and as a result of being afraid, sometimes the things you do when you're pulled over can negatively affect your case down the road.

You may not even realize that you're driving under the influence, but in reality, if you had a 0.16 breath alcohol content (BAC), it would take around 10 hours for your body to metabolize all of that alcohol.

You don't have to feel intoxicated or drunk to be charged with driving under the influence. If you were to have three or four drinks within an hour, your BAC could go to 0.08, and it would take around five hours for it to be zero again.

In DUI situations, a police officer can pull you over if they see signs that you're impaired-for example, maybe you're swerving. You might also get pulled over for a seemingly unrelated traffic violation, and then the officer may suspect you're under the influence.

If you do make the mistake of drinking and driving, the following are some dos and don'ts of how to handle the situation.

Do Be Respectful

If you're pulled over not only on suspicion of DUI but for any reason, one of the best things you can do is be polite and respectful to the officer. It's natural to become defensive or even angry when you're confronted in these situations, but being rude or disrespectful is going to do you no favors. Stay as calm as you can, as well.

Don't Say Too Much

Along with being polite, try to be as quiet as you can. The more you say during a DUI arrest, the more trouble you can get yourself in. Some people will make the mistake of saying they've been drinking but only a little. Don't admit to drinking anything.

You don't have to lie, but you also don't have to say anything. All you're obligated to do is provide your driver's license to the police officer.

Answer questions with yes or no. Not only does this provide as little information as possible, but it gives you fewer opportunities to slur your words.

Do Have Your License and Registration Ready

If you get pulled over, go ahead and get your license, registration, and also your insurance information ready.

If you have to fumble with it and you're nervous, it can make you look more intoxicated than you are. You should turn your overhead car light on and put your hands on the steering wheel once you've located those items.

You should also roll your windows down right away, in case there's any alcohol odor in your vehicle.

Do Refuse Tests

If you're pulled over on suspicion of drinking and driving, you want to give as little evidence as possible that can be used later. If an officer asks you to do field sobriety tests, you can refuse them. There's not a penalty for refusing the, nor is there a requirement that you do them. In fact, even if you're sober you may not pass these tests.

As far as breath tests, you can refuse those as well, but if you are arrested you will have to do the tests at the police station.

Many people underestimate how much alcohol they've actually had, and that can mean your breath test could create a serious problem.

If you do refuse a breath test, in some states, however, you should be aware that you may receive an administrative license suspension, although if you blow more than 0.08 you can get one of those anyway.

The less evidence an officer has on you, typically, the better your court case outcomes will be.

You can't beat the DUI test, and you can't outsmart, it so don't try. Even though getting arrested can be scary and overwhelming, it can be better than a DUI charge.

The best advice when it comes to drinking and driving is simply not to do it. There are so many options this day and age to avoid drinking and driving, including Uber and Lyft. If you are pulled over, however, and you have been drinking, how you handle it at that time can mean better outcomes.

You should always find an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you, as well.

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