Wandering Lanes And Houston DWIs

Certain erratic driving behaviors, including when a vehicle operator wanders lanes, are common signs of impaired driving. Because of this, these actions can lead to suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Houston, Texas. If you were to exhibit signs of reckless driving on the road, law enforcement officers may initiate a traffic stop to investigate why you are not operating your vehicle predictably and consistently.

If you were pulled over and accused of reckless driving and drunk driving but are unsure if the police officer had the authority to make the stop, have a Houston criminal lawyer review the facts of your situation. A skilled lawyer can provide crucial assistance following a DWI arrest.

Swerving and Reckless Behavior

Careless driving behavior raises suspicions of drunk driving. A few of the reasons why wandering lanes and other actions are seen by law enforcement as indicators of possible impairment:

• Unable to maintain driving consistency. Because drug or alcohol intoxication can impair a driver’s ability to maintain a consistent lane position, a drunk or drugged driver may swerve between lanes, cross over lane markers, or straddle multiple lanes.
• Not using turn signals. Additionally, failing to use turn signals or using turn signals inconsistently while changing lanes can be indicators impaired judgment or reduced focus, both common signs of intoxicated driving.
• Abrupt lane changes. Sudden or illegal lane shifts, from wandering between lanes to cutting off other vehicles, are poor decisions. All signs of reduced awareness of traffic laws could be due to alcohol or drug use.

Any of the reckless behaviors listed could result in a legal traffic stop. In Houston, Texas, law enforcement officers have the authority to pull someone over when they have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity, including driving under the influence. Because of this, when a driver is wandering lanes or showing signs of other careless, out-of-control driving behaviors, it provides the officers a legitimate basis for initiating a traffic stop.

How a Texas Criminal Attorney Can Help

Even if a traffic stop was legal, there are still paths to building a defense. For instance, an experienced attorney will assess the circumstances of the traffic stop, the officer’s actions, and any evidence obtained. They will assess the strength of the prosecution’s case and identify potential defenses.

And if there is evidence that the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to initiate the traffic stop, a Houston criminal lawyer can challenge the legality of the stop. In situations where this process is successful, any evidence obtained after the stop could be suppressed, potentially leading to the dismissal of the DWI charges.

Is an erratic lane change the reason you were pulled over in Houston? If you find yourself facing a DWI charge following a lane swerving incident, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a skilled Texas criminal attorney. Reach out to the seasoned legal team at Ayson Law Firm. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and provide a robust defense to protect your rights. Contact Ayson Law today for a free consultation.