Those dreaded red and blue lights flash behind you what do you do? The first thing to do is try and not to panic. Do not stop immediately in the middle of the roadway, but slow down and attempt to find a safe location to pull over to the right, but don’t drive forever. Do not try taking off in hopes of outrunning the patrol car you can not outrun their radio and the other officers that will come out of the woodwork.

Once you stop remember to put the car into park. Be polite and try and pay attention. Know where your drivers license, proof of insurance and registration are so you can easily obtain them. The officer will be watching all of your actions and how well you can maneuver. Don’t have open alcoholic containers in the vehicle either.
Be polite. Answer questions directed at you but don’t offer too much information. Know that almost every drunk driver gives the standard answer of “two” to how much they have drank. Is that two six packs, two pitchers, two double whiskey on the rocks? Don’t try and be smart or cocky. Your speech is another detection of intoxication.

If asked to do a field sobriety test, know that you can decline certain tests or all of them. Officers need factors from each test to determine for court whether or not you are safe to operate a motor vehicle. Nationwide standards are being adopted by all agencies that have guidelines for each test that are accepted in court. If you do not perform these tests the states case is harder to prove, but also keep in mind many patrol cars have video footage of what is going on so some of the factors can be detected other ways. Definitely do not admit that you could not do the tests even if you were sober this says you know you are drunk.

Do not become a street lawyer and start spouting off your rights. Law enforcement officers know all to well what they can and can not do. If the officer is crooked he/she will not care you think you know what your rights are. If the officer is above board he/she will know their limitations and protect your rights to protect the case.
Know that your Miranda rights do not need to be read to you prior to an arrest. After the handcuffs go on anything that can incriminate you further can not be asked, but you still have to answer questions about you such as your address. Refusing to give information about yourself to the officer prolongs your stay behind bars.
Do not try and bribe the officer. Once the decision has been made to arrest you is not the time to plead and beg for them to just let you go home, or drive you home, or call someone. Do not make statements that you knew you were too drunk to drive. Know that your ride to the jail is also being recorded. There is never a time to call the officer every name in the book or make threats. Keep your lips closed.

Depending on your state’s requirements, a test to determine the level of alcohol in your body will need to be done, which many do not realize they agreed to when they obtained their drivers license. Know the penalties for refusing this test and the penalties for taking this test. Lawyers vary in their opinion on whether or not you should refuse or agree. This is a personal choice, but convictions happen regardless of this decision.

Do not tear up, destroy or throw away any documents you are given by the officer or the jail staff. These documents detail driving privileges and provide other valuable information about what is to come in the legal process. Wait until you are released, have slept and can think to read through these documents. This is also the time to determine whether or not you need a lawyer.

The best advice is to not drive while intoxicated so you do not need to worry about any of this.

There are many simple and obvious choices on how to avoid a DUI, but first and foremost one must possess the integrity to make them. Humans, in general, often feel infallible. “I had a few drinks and drove home fine last time.” The success in that venture was created by an alcohol fueled illusion. Who hasn’t felt the overwhelming sense of relief at making it home safely after a few drinks? We amuse ourselves with the admission of barely remembering “how” we got home in one piece. What these DUI drivers may not realize is that there were other drivers on the road who had to swerve to avoid them, and ended up in the middle of a tree. They were not very successful on making it home to their daughter’s birthday party in one piece.

People also speak of the time it takes for alcohol to affect the blood, and impair mental and physical functions. Time spent on calculating how one can get away with driving home after a few too many drinks could be better spent on calculating better ways of getting everybody home safe. It is not about us already having enough responsibility in our life that we can not be bothered with anyone else’s. It is an easy choice to make, but how easy will it then be to deal with the consequences of an “unsuccessful” driving home under the influence?

Often it is not until something terrible happens that teaches us not to drink and drive. We tested our limits and found the boundary line. We swear not to do it again, in court that is, surrounded by a group of strangers who are judging us by this one act. They do not care that you made it home a hundred other times.
A simple way to avoid a DUI is to accept and fully understand that it is, in every way, irresponsible and illegal to drink and drive. You may care about yourself more than others, but is injuring or killing yourself the best way to show it? There are no “do-overs”. Once you are caught and pulled over, the rush of adrenalin through your body can be more intoxicating, and your responses to police enforcement even more so. Once you wake to find the engine of your car resting in your lap, and blood on your windshield that is not your own, it is too late to call a cab.

Before you put yourself in that situation, consider arranging other transport such as hiring a personal driver and a car for the evening. If you are going downtown for a big night out, rent a nearby hotel or motel room with your friends. If you all become too intoxicated to call a cab, do not be offended if the establishment you are drinking in does it for you. Budget for your safety. If you can not afford to arrange for other transportation then you can not afford to go out, nor can you afford the fines and repercussions that occur when you are caught driving under the influence.

This type of planning does not take away from the spontaneity of having a good time; instead it offers you complete freedom that you have taken responsible steps to guarantee it, and also a clean driving record.