Have you ever wondered how the police are able to identify and arrest so many intoxicated drivers? Our team at Smith & Vinson Law Firm explains what methods the police use to catch drunk drivers so that you can be aware on the road.

Method One: Standard Patrols

You’ve seen police cars pulled over on highways, on side streets, or in parking lots taking radar and observing drivers. This is one of the most common methods that the police use to monitor drivers and look for signs of possible impairment. If a patrol officer catches a driver speeding or otherwise violating traffic laws, they can pull them over. This is when the police may notice other signs pointing to drug or alcohol impairment.

Method Two: Saturation Patrols

States where sobriety checkpoints are illegal, like Texas, often rely on saturation patrols for similar effects. A saturation patrol is an organized effort that places a high volume of police patrols in a designated area. It is not a checkpoint because it is not a roadblock, but it does lead to a higher concentration of patrol officers within a small radius. These are usually set up in areas where DWI occurs frequently. This method increases the number of DWI arrests made by each officer in the area.

Method Three: Calls from Other Drivers

If another driver sees a car moving erratically or dangerously, they may call the police and alert them. In this case, an officer will track down the car and investigate the situation. This is another way that leads to a driver being arrested for DWI, even if they were not initially spotted by an active patrol officer.

DWI Defense in Austin

If your year comes to a close with a DWI arrest, our defense attorneys at Smith & Vinson Law Firm are ready to help. You can rest assured knowing you are in good hands when our team is on the case. Share the details of your stop and arrest with our attorneys and learn more about how we can assist you during an initial case consultation; call (512) 359-3743.