Question for you LEO's

[scubadiver]

Can you tell the difference when someone made a mistake or suspect them of DUI after talking to them after 2 or 3 minutes. The reason I asked is I was pulled over in the Coos Bay area by a local cop on the 101. I had to get over after rounding a curve and didn't see him in my mirrors. That isn't my usual route for going from Junction City, Or.to Indio,Ca. He did state he thought he was in my blind spot, but pulled me over just to check to see what was happening. (ie DUI or warrants) . I wasn't DUI nor did I recieve a citation, which I could've gotten if I gave the officer an attitude. :D :D

[Crystal Pistol]

scubadiver:
Can you tell the difference when someone made a mistake or suspect them of DUI after talking to them after 2 or 3 minutes. The reason I asked is I was pulled over in the Coos Bay area by a local cop on the 101. I had to get over after rounding a curve and didn't see him in my mirrors. That isn't my usual route for going from Junction City, Or.to Indio,Ca. He did state he thought he was in my blind spot, but pulled me over just to check to see what was happening. (ie DUI or warrants) . I wasn't DUI nor did I recieve a citation, which I could've gotten if I gave the officer an attitude. :D :D

Often, one can "tell" if DUI quicker than 2 or 3 minutes, but there have been times when I could quickly rule out DUI (alcohol) but not so sure about DUID (drugs) or a medical condition like diabetes causing the problems. Usually though, if DUI, I can tell as soon as they start speaking, sometimes even faster.

There have been times when I took a few extra seconds even after ruling out the above, as I considered whether to write it or let it go with a warning if I was "on the fence" so to speak. And sleepy drivers often look like drunks from the vantage point of the vehicle following along behind, many have simular results in accidents.

[Flying Dutchman]

One old trick is to watch the driver as he/she exits their vehicle. If they use the palm of their hand to "guide" themselves to the rear of their car, a red flag should go up.

Another is by using your sniffer. If a person has consumed intoxicating beverages, there will often be an odor. True, alcohol itself has no smell to it -- but when it mixes with other things in the stomach, it can really reek!
:yikes:

As CP mentioned, sometimes diabetics can 'trick' you with that acetone breath they may have. A fellow deputy had stopped a guy for erratic driving and his breath had that odor. He was diabetic and turned out to stone cold sober. After a chocolate bar, he was fine and good to go. I don't know the inside skinny on it, but I heard that the insulin they take can cause symptoms that look like drunken behavior if their blood sugar levels get too low.

Our DUI limit in VA is a BAC of .08% -- not really a whole lot for some people. If you imbibe, don't drive through Virginia afterwards!


Flying Dutchman; usually falls asleep after two beers
:cheers:

[lonewolf]

I don't know the inside skinny on it, but I heard that the insulin they take can cause symptoms that look like drunken behavior if their blood sugar levels get too low

yes that is true,if a persons blood sugar goes to low,it will give the impression that the person is intoxicated,slurred speech,unable to walk properly,etc

[the_wolf]

The craziest thing I got pulled over for was I was out with a friend and we were gonna get something to eat. First she said she wanted Arbys and when I got in the turning lane she changed her mind. There were two cars coming-- so I couldnt just jump back out. One of them was a state trooper. Which I guess since it was 3am and I was sitting in the turning lane with no traffic coming he decided to check me out. I had a big 4x4 suburban thats about as big as my van-- if not bigger. This thing was huge-- bigger then the usual suburbans. He pulled up behind me and I figured out what was going on. I made my turn into Arbys and on came the disco lights. He came up and asked me for my stuff and explained why he stopped me. I told him what happend-- and got a smile out of a Ohio state trooper :yikes: . He had me go back to his car. Which now come to think of it. What the guy said earlier about the way they walk to the back of the car.. he was watching me as I got out. Which instead of using my steps on the 'burb I just jump out. And thats what I did was jumped out and started walking back to his car. Obviously if i was drunk I would not have been able to jump out and keep my balance. So he let me go because everything was ok. I thought i was going to get a ticket because I didnt have my seat belt on... but I didn't. I didn't get an attitude and was jokative so thats probably why.

[Farmer_Joe]

"I don't know the inside skinny on it, but I heard that the insulin they take can cause symptoms that look like drunken behavior if their blood sugar levels get too low."

The individual is overdosing on insulin, they need sugar now!!!

I got an education a couple of Falls ago when my neighbor had a bad reaction to low blood sugar. Scared the shyt out me! His wife was shooting pure glucose into his mouth, he was nearly loosing consciousness. Within 10 minutes of a couple tubes of glucose he was normal again.

[Foxfire]

With the medications I take orally every day I always carry glucose tablets with me. Three of them chewed up will make everything all better real quick if my blood sugar levels drop too fast. A diabetic knows when the levels drop because they get a fluttery feeling in the stomach and get shaky. And yes sometimes it makes me walk shaky too. Personally, I think everyone should educate themselves on this disease and others that can be life threatening.

[USAF_2T2]

There are some "tell tale" signs of a drunk driver. Then there are those who live there life drunk all the time that reek of a distillery and drive fine.

FF, I am thinking I may be hypo- or hyper glycemic (sp) I get shaky like that at times and after I eat something I am fine. I have an appt. with the doctor coming up to see what my deal is.

[Foxfire]

Hypo is worse than Hyper to my way of thinking. Good luck Tim. I hope you don't have a problem.

[Flying Dutchman]

I am hypoglycemic (just a slight case) and have been for about twenty years or so. No medication required at all; kind of like being a reverse diabetic. All I do is eat something and I feel better in about 30 seconds!

My blood sugar level gets low and I get slightly lethargic and tend to feel tired. I really feel it if I am crouched over doing something and then stand up quickly. What a rush.....NOT!

But hey, at least I don't have to take insulin to keep the blood sugar level down. Nevertheless, this has never posed a problem in military, law enforcement or DOT physical exams I have had throught the years.

Anyway, get it checked out. Hopefully, you will be hypoglycemic instead of diabetic. Oreos are easier to administer than insulin shots!
:harhar: