The majority of the time when a police officer suspects the driver of a vehicle is intoxicated it is going to occur while the vehicle is in motion. There are various clues that police officers look for when observing a vehicle in motion to determine if a traffic stop should be made to investigate further. In North Carolina there are 24 cues that have been officially adopted in State v. Bonds, 533 S.E.2d 855. The cues are taught by the National Highway Traffic Administration. Police officers may use these cues to establish reasonable suspicion to execute a traffic stop in North Carolina.
These cues are:
1. Weaving
2. Weaving across lanes
3. Straddling a lane line
4. Drifting
5. Swerving
6. Almost striking a vehicle or object
7. Turning with a wide radius
8. Stopping Problems
9. Accelerating for no reason
10. Varying speed
11. Slow speed
12. Driving without headlights at night
13. Failure to signal a turn or lane change
14. Driving in opposing lane or wrong way on one-way street
15. Slow response to traffic signals
16. Slow or failure to respond to officer’s signals
17. Stopping in lane for no apparent reason
18. Following too closely
19. Improper or unsafe lane change
20. Illegal or improper turn
21. Driving on other than designated roadway
22. Stopping inappropriately in response to an officer
23. Inappropriate or unusual behavior
24. Appearing to be impaired
These are the cues that are recognized in North Carolina that an officer may use to justify making a traffic stop. However just because you are pulled over for any of these reasons and suspected to be DWI does not mean you should be found guilty. If you have been pulled over for any of these reasons and charged with DWI please contact one of our attorneysby calling 704-499-9000 or toll free 877-374-5999 as soon as possible so we can evaluate your case.