How did I learn about these patrols? I read the newspaper. And I don't even read the newspaper, I scan it. The headlines tell you everything you need to know. Like this story, with the headline, "Police Step up DUI Patrols."
Now, I am no genius, but this might be something you want to check out, even if you are not planning on driving drunk over the weekend. And why would you want to check it out? Because it gives you information like this:
Extra DUI patrols will be on the roads through Labor Day as part of the "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" enforcement campaign.So, what does this mean for you? If you are going out and drinking, particularly over Labor Day Weekend (which is only two weeks away), make sure you mind your p's and q's when you are driving around. The Seattle cops are going to be out trying to pop you for DUI.
In King County, Seattle police and the State Patrol are participating, along with police in Algona, Auburn, Black Diamond, Burien, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Pacific, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Shoreline and Snoqualmie.
Statewide, police officers from 130 agencies will participate. The extra patrols, which started Friday, are supported through $200,000 in grants from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
With this year's drunken driving crackdown, police now have a network of more than 200 specially-trained police Drug Recognition Experts around the state. These officers are trained to evaluate drivers who may be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
The Traffic Safety Commission shares this anecdote:
"DRE Deputy Alan Tag from the King County Sheriff's Office stopped a driver who was licking his cell phone and who later tested positive for cocaine. One indicator Tag looks for in an impaired driver is the inability to multi-task. People typically talk while doing multiple tasks with no problem, so he becomes suspicious if a driver can't answer a question while looking for their registration and insurance."
And honestly, while I am a Seattle criminal lawyer and make my living fighting Seattle DUIs, I don't want you to get popped for DUI. When you do and need my help I'm here, but in a perfect world you'd follow my instructions, the cops wouldn't be able to arrest you on suspicion of Seattle DUI because they wouldn't have enough evidence, and if they did, I'd be able to (most likely) get you out of it.
Now, before you go running off and being extra careful while driving after drinking (which is not illegal), let me give you my five Seattle DUI attorney tips for the road, so if you are pulled over for a Seattle DUI you know your rights. These rules pretty much apply across the board (meaning they essentially always work), and will greatly help you should you end up being charged with Seattle DUI:
1. Give the officer your license and registration and be quiet - say "my attorney told me not to answer that question."
2. Don't fall for the officer's tricks - remain silent and respectful.
3. Don't do field sobriety tests or a portable breath test - ever.
4. If arrested say these words - "I want to remain silent and talk with an attorney" - and nothing else.
5. Never consent to a search of anything - just say no.
Like I said, following these rules won't necessarily keep you from getting arrested for Seattle DUI - people get arrested wrongly all the time. What it will do is make your case easier to win and easier to handle for your Seattle DUI attorney when you hire one (and, if you come to my office having done these things, I'd even lower my Seattle DUI fee because of it).
In the end the message of the day is this - don't drive drunk or drive stupid when you know there are DUI emphasis patrols all around. Or, if you do, don't be surprised when you Google DUI lawyer Seattle looking for someone to help you out.
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