Tips From Las Vegas Attorney, Carlos A. Morales, During Heightened Police DUI Surveillance Between Feb. 10 and 15

Carlos A. Morales of Morales Injury Law & Traffix in Las Vegas shares misconceptions and tips for the general public. 

Remember: 

1. “Buzzed” driving and drunk driving are the same thing. Breathalyzers, blood tests, and field sobriety tests will never care about the difference. 
2. Weight and height make a small difference in how much you can drink, but it probably doesn’t really matter once you’ve had a few drinks.
3. Caffeine, fresh air, eating before drinking, does not lower your blood alcohol content. 
4. Driving intoxicated is never worth it. If getting arrested is all that happens, you’re one of the lucky ones.
5. We live in a time when there is no excuse to drive intoxicated. 
   Uber/Lyft/Taxis are at our finger tips.
6. Before you go out, have an emergency plan in place. A designated driver, sleep at a friend’s house, have a spouse/friend ready and willing to pick you up. 
7. Drinking “just beer” or “just wine” does not impact your BAC limit differently. You can still find yourself over the limit very quickly. 
8.  Effects of alcohol and BAC do not correlate. You can feel “fine” and still be over the limit.

What to do if you’re being pulled over on suspicion of DUI (if you have been drinking): 

1. Pull over 
2. Remain calm and provide the officer with your license, registration, and insurance 
3. Do not admit to drinking 
4. If instructed to get out of the car, get out of the car. Do not stumble, sway, or support yourself 
5. Politely refuse to complete any field sobriety tests 
6. Politely refuse to submit to taking any type of breathalyzer, blood, or urine test 
7. DO NOT RESIST ARREST 
8. Do not speak about the incident to a police officer until you speak to your attorney