Three Phases of an Impaired Driving Investigation are Essential for a Proper Police Report
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Vigilance Problems (12)Driving in opposing lanes or wrong way on one-way (13)Slow response to traffic signals (14)Slow or failure to respond to officer’s signals (15)Stopping in lane for no apparent reason (16)Driving without headlights at night (17)Failure to signal or signal inconsistent with action Judgement Problems (18)Following too closely (19)Improper or unsafe lane change (20)Illegal or improper turn (too fast, jerky, sharp, etc.)
(21)Driving on other than the designated roadway (22)Stopping inappropriately in response to officer (23)Inappropriate or unusual behavior (throwing, arguing, etc.) (24)Appearing to be impaired (13) Studies have shown that there is a 65% probability that the driver is intoxicated if weaving plus one of the other above listed cues are present. If any two cues other than weaving are present, the probability that the driver is intoxicated is at least 50 percent. The presence of some cues alone (such as swerving, accelerating for no reason, or driving on other than the designated roadway) has a probability greaterthan 70%. (14)
PHASE 2: PERSONAL CONTACT
In this phase, the officer is determining, based upon face-to-face interview and in addition to observations in phase 1, whether there is sufficient reason to instruct the suspect to step out from the vehicle.
Face-to-face observation and interview of the driver:
Allows the officer to use three senses to gather evidence of alcohol and/or drug influence:
Sight: Bloodshot eyes, soiled clothing, fumbling fingers, alcohol containers, drugs or drug paraphernalia, bruises, bumps or scratches, unusual actions
Sound: Slurred speech, admission of drinking, inconsistent responses, abusive language, unusual statements
Smell: Alcoholic beverages, Cannabis, “cover up” odors like breath sprays, unusual odors
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