In Tennessee, law enforcement officers cannot pull over a vehicle based on a simple hunch. State and federal constitutional protections require an officer to have reasonable suspicion before initiating a traffic stop.
Grounds for initiating a DUI traffic stop
A DUI investigation starts with a lawful traffic stop. Several circumstances may give an officer grounds to make a traffic stop. These may include:
- Observed driving errors: Officers may stop drivers who show signs of unsafe driving. These signs can include swerving across lane lines, driving well below the speed limit, making illegal turns or failing to respond to traffic signals.
- Standard traffic infractions: Police can stop a driver who breaks a traffic law. Common examples include speeding, running a stop sign or failing to signal before changing lanes.
- Vehicle equipment violations: Police can also stop a vehicle for certain equipment or registration issues. These issues may include a broken taillight, expired license plates or an unreadable registration tag. The officer may investigate further if the driver shows signs of impairment.
During the stop, the officer may speak with the driver and watch for signs that could suggest impairment. These may include alcohol odor, unclear speech or unusual eye movements. Depending on what the officer observes, the investigation may continue with field sobriety tests or other steps.
Seeking legal guidance for DUI charges
If an officer pulls a motorist over without reasonable suspicion, the traffic stop may be unlawful. A Tennessee DUI defense attorney can review the police dashcam footage and the officer’s stated reasons for the stop. This review can help determine whether the officer had a valid legal basis for making the stop.
