Getting pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI) can be a frightening experience. Fortunately, there are several ways you can avoid a DUI charge as well as getting pulled over in the first place. If you are going out to a party or any social event where drinking will be involved, be sure to adhere to the tips listed below.

• Eat Something. Always eat something while you are drinking. By eating, you can slow down your body’s alcohol intake. If you drink on an empty stomach, your body will absorb alcohol quicker, causing your blood alcohol content or BAC to increase at a faster rate than if you had food in your system.
• Drive Safely and Ensure Your Vehicle is in Good Condition. If you do drive after a party or social event, be sure to drive safely and ensure your vehicle is in good condition so that the police do not have a reasonable suspicion to pull your over. Your headlights should be on and your vehicle should be free of leaks, shattered windows, broken taillights, and other issues.
• Make Sure Your Driver’s License and Insurance Information is Easily Accessible. When a police officer pulls you over, they will ask you for your driver’s license and car insurance information. Keeping both your license and insurance information in a place that is easily accessible may prevent suspicion that you may be driving drunk.
• Utilize a Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service. If you are drinking, utilize a taxi or ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Spending some money on a taxi or ride-sharing service is well worth it considering it can save you from thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
• Designate a Driver. If you know you will be drinking, it is a good idea to designate a driver to make sure you get home safely. You should take turns being the designated driver with friends and family members so that one person is not always left with the burden. 
• Find Somewhere to Sleep. If you are drinking at a friend or family member’s house, ask them if you could sleep over that night. In the event you are drinking at a wedding or another special event, you should book a hotel that is within walking distance so you do not have to worry about driving home afterwards.
• Host a Party at Home. If you would like to drink without the risk of being charged with a DUI, you should consider hosting a party at home. If you are drinking at home, you will not have any reason to leave your home and engage in drunk driving.

Contact Our Waukesha County Drunk Driving Attorneys Today

When you are pulled over for drunk driving, you may be confused and unsure of what to expect. In addition to a breath test, a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin will ask you to complete a series of field sobriety tests prior to your potential arrest. Field sobriety tests are known as “divided attention” tests, which are intended to evaluate your ability to drive safely.

Although an officer may ask you to complete a few non-standardized tests, there are three field sobriety tests that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recognizes as the most accurate. These tests include the horizontal gaze nystagmus or HGN test, the walk and turn test, and the one-leg stand test.

While a traffic stop could result in a traffic violation, not all alleged traffic violations end up in minor penalties. In fact, if a motorist is pulled over for a traffic violation and subsequently accused of drunk driving, then he or she could face serious penalties. If a driver has multiple drunk driving charges on his or her record, then even harsher penalties may be imposed upon conviction. Because of that, it is important to be clear on the current DUI laws in the state and any changes that might have recently taken place. This information could impact the consequences you could face if convicted of drunk driving and what defense strategies you may want to implement.

How have Wisconsin drunk driving laws changed in 2017? Previously, when a motorist was faced with his or her fourth OWI charge, the severity of the charge was not increased. In 2017, this changed when new legislation made the fourth offense a felony. Moreover, this felony charge would remain regardless of a person's previous record.

When individuals are slapped with a drunk driving charge, prosecutors rely on certain tests to try to prove their case. While field sobriety tests and breath tests are considered reliable evidence that a driver is under the influence of alcohol, motorists in Wisconsin should note that these tests and devices are not always accurate and reliable. Thus, it is possible to challenge these results, helping an accused individual assert a strong defense.

Can Breathalyzer tests fail? While these tests are the backbone of drunk driving campaigns and are heavily relied on by law enforcement to determine if the blood alcohol content of a driver is intoxicated, these tests are prone to errors and mistakes.

Being involved in an wreck is a serious and tragic event. However, when a motorist is accused of a crime following a car accident, the matter's severity can increase significantly. If an officer believes that a driver was negligent or under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, for example, it is likely that the officer will take investigative steps based on those suspicions. This could mean forcing a driver to going through a sobriety test and a breath test. If the results of these tests reveal that a driver was intoxicated, then he or she may be hit with a drunk driving charge.

According to recent reports, a Wisconsin man is in this situation after he was recently charged with various felonies following an alleged drunk driving crash. According to police, the Oconomowoc man collided with a good Samaritan who had stopped to help a family change a flat tire. While helping the family along the side of Interstate 94 in Delafield, the 37-year-old accused individual allegedly crashed into the parked vehicle while the victim was under it.