What indicators does law enforcement look for to determine if someone may be driving while impaired?

According to the research performed for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following are some of the actions that may be signs of impaired driving. Police officers rely on these signs to stop impaired drivers on the roadways. If you show any combination of these signs, you may be pulled over for DWI in North Carolina.

National Highway Safety Administration - Signs of Impaired Driving

  • Turning with a wide radius
  • Straddling the center of the lane marker
  • Appearing to be drunk
  • Almost striking an object or vehicle
  • Weaving
  • Driving on anything other than the designated highway
  • Swerving
  • Speed more than 10 miles per hour below the speed limit
  • Stopping without cause in the traffic lane
  • Following too closely
  • Drifting
  • Tire on center or lane marker
  • Braking erratically
  • Driving into opposing or crossing traffic
  • Signaling inconsistent with driving actions
  • Slow response to traffic signals
  • Stopping inappropriately (other than in lane)
  • Turning abruptly or illegally
  • Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
  • Headlights off

Stopped for impaired driving? Contact a DWI attorney today.

It is worth noting that speeding is not generally considered to be one of the signs of impaired driving. If you or a loved one has recently been with Driving While Impaired in North Carolina, contact our experienced DWI attorneys. They’ll gladly sit down with you to explain your options and your next course of action. Contact us today for a free DWI consultation in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, or High Point.