Do Officers Target DUI Drivers for Traffic Violations Following a DUI Conviction?
A DUI Arrest can change a person's life. It also may cause you to change your driving habits. Fresno areas DUI's are different in sense that there is often a necessity to drive in both city and rural areas in close proximity of each other. Further, the Central Valley is comprised of several large and many small law enforcement agencies. DUI is one aspect of Criminal Defense that is different than many others, as the suspected DUI driver is usually a good person.
There are several well-known problems with a DUI conviction. Insurance rates, fines, fees, suspensions, DUI Classes, and jail time being among the most common.
Following a DUI conviction, some DUI clients have had issues in family court, custody battles, and various other issues in the court system. Some have adverse effects in their professional life as well. A suspended license may cost a commercial driver, fireman, officer, or plumber his employment. Professional licensing issues can also cause major problems in a person's life
It is also believed by many people who have been cited for DUI that the officers look closer at their driving once they find out the owner of the vehicle has a DUI conviction or citation. It may be a proverbial “red flag” issue, such as they believe there is stronger likelihood a person with a DUI conviction will again be driving while under the influence, and they want to check. It may also be that drivers who long got away with driving patterns and habits that were less than perfect find themselves under the police microscope for any variation from the ideal driving pattern.
COMMON DRIVING HABITS THAT CAN BE CHANGED
Driving while under the influence is a risk taking behavior. People who live on the edge or make decisions to take risks in life. Climbing behind the wheel, speeding, using a cell phone while driving, and other behavior patterns can all be closely associated. Many of these can lead to you being stopped by a police officer.
There are certain characteristics that you should analyze to see if you are at risk for being stopped, and make appropriate adjustments to ensure your safety, the safety of others, an you driving record.
Driving at an unsafe distance from other vehicles, often referred to as “tailgating” is a one of these behaviors. Simply take notice of your distance from the vehicles in front of you, it may surprise you. Then, take corrective action.
Cell phones use another common risk that people continue to regularly engage in. This can be texting, emailing, surfing the net, playing games, checking Facebook, or any of numerous other cell phone, or smart phone related activities can cause horrible consequences.
Blinkers, one of the simplest forms of announcing your intentions to fellow drivers is another activities that can reduce your likelihood of an accident. It is also one of the most common reasons to stop a vehicle. This category can be expanded to include all the lights on the vehicle. A “Third brake light” violation, inoperable “License Plate Illuminator Light” is one of the most common reasons in rural areas to stop a vehicle. So checking, maintaining, and using all available lighting on your vehicle is very important.
The obvious ones include driving while impaired, but please keep in mind this is more than drugs and alcohol, this is any substance, including prescriptions (Rx) substances that have the potential to impair. Stretched to the extreme, even a large quantity of water can cause a “water drunk” behavior, and lead to a DUI.
Some law enforcement agencies will know when a person has been arrested, or the other officers in the small agencies will be aware of an arrest, which could cause the other officers to look more closely at the driving patterns of the suspect driver. Don't give them any reason to suspect you are in violation of the law.