{"id":9469,"date":"2024-05-13T14:06:33","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T18:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.responsibility.org\/?page_id=9469"},"modified":"2025-04-09T14:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T18:23:14","slug":"high-risk-impaired-driving-phase1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.responsibility.org\/high-risk-impaired-driving\/high-risk-impaired-driving-phase1\/","title":{"rendered":"HRID – Phase 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Phase 1: Cops and Traffic Stops<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, nearly a million people are arrested for impaired driving. Though laws and processes vary by state, each of them goes through a similar experience after an officer observes suspicious driving: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Traffic Stop <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. DUI investigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Arrest<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Chemical testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Drug Recognition Expert Evaluation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Booking<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After making a traffic stop<\/strong>, the officer documents his\/her observations. During this preliminary DUI investigation<\/strong>, the officer must identify and document signs and symptoms of impairment to build a strong impaired driving case. This includes observing the driver\u2019s behavior and performance on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), and any preliminary chemical screening results, such as preliminary breath tests or onsite oral fluid screening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the officer has completed the roadside investigation and believes that there is enough evidence of impairment to establish probable cause, an arrest<\/strong> is made, and the suspect is transported to the police station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the station, the detained suspect is subjected to additional questioning and is required to provide an evidential breath test, which is one type of chemical testing<\/strong>. If he\/she refuses to voluntarily submit to a breath test or a blood test, a warrant must be obtained to authorize a non-voluntary blood draw. If a blood draw is required, the suspect will be transported to a healthcare facility to have the blood drawn by a medical professional. In some jurisdictions, law enforcement may be trained in phlebotomy and the blood draw can be performed at the station.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the person provides a breath sample that tests below the legal limit or the officer suspects that the subject\u2019s impairment is caused by drugs as opposed to or in addition to alcohol, a drug recognition expert<\/strong> (DRE) will likely be called to perform a 12-step standardized drug evaluation<\/strong> to determine what category or categories of drugs are causing the observed impairment. In drug cases, a urine test or blood draw is required. Once the investigation is complete, the DUI suspect is booked<\/strong> into the detention facility, typically a county jail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Traffic Stop<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

    To conduct a traffic stop, an officer must have reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation or criminal activity has occurred or is occurring. Signs of impaired driving include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n