According to the DWI Detection training manual published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2004, police officers are taught to look for the following red flags:

● Anything which may draw their attention to a vehicle (especially at night time) such as:

A moving traffic violation;

Weaving across a lane; Abruptly swerving; Turning with too wide a radius; Almost striking an object or other vehicle; Stopping incorrectly; Rapid acceleration or deceleration; Driving on the wrong side of the road; Slow response to traffic signals; Slow or failure to respond to an officer’s signals; Stopping in a lane for no apparent reason; No headlights; Driving in an area other than a marked traffic lane; Throwing objects out of the car or other inappropriate behavior such as leaning out of the window or yelling out of the window;

● An equipment violation (burned out tail light or burned out license plate light);

● An expired registration or inspection sticker;

● Any unusual driving actions such as weaving within a lane or moving at a slower than normal speed;

● After the stop, evidence of drinking or drugs in the vehicle itself.

Following a suspected DWI stop, police officers will look for the following signs of intoxication according to the DWI Detection training manual:

● Slowed reactions;

● Impaired judgment as evidenced by a willingness to take risks;

● Impaired vision;

● Poor coordination;

● Difficulty exiting the vehicle;

● Fumbling with drivers license or insurance;

● Repeating questions for comments;

● Swaying, unsteady or balance problems;

● Leaning on the vehicle for support;

● Slurred speech;

● Slow to respond to officer/officer must repeat;

● Providing incorrect or changing answers to the same question;

● Odor of alcohol

If you have been arrested for a DWI in Austin, Texas or the surrounding counties, time is of the essence.  Contact Kyle Lowe, an Austin DWI Attorney with 16 years of DWI and Criminal Law experience.  Your case evaluation is free, your peace of mind is priceless.