9. Do not volunteer any information.
10. If asked to step from your vehicle, do so slowly and
directly and avoid touching or holding on to your car.
11. Prior to driving, you should place gum and/or mints in
your mouth, and should continue chewing on them unless instructed to remove
them.
12. While in contact with the officer, breathe
through your nose and not through your mouth.
13. You should not keep anything suspicious and/or that
may arouse the officer’s attention or concern within the interior of your car
that would be in plain view.
14. If you receive a citation, do not argue or ask any questions.
15. If possible, wait for the officer to leave before
pulling away from the traffic stop.
16. Pull into the next gas station, convenience store, or
other public place and call for a ride.
17. Do not discuss this matter with any motel or
convenience store clerks, as they may contact the police.
18. If possible, avoid driving late at
night, particularly between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
19. Do not agree to allow the officer to search your
vehicle. If you are arrested, do not plead your case to the officer.
20. If possible, answer all of the officer’s questions in
one-word answers, i.e. "Yes" or "No".
21. If the officer’s questions move into areas regarding
your consumption of alcohol and/or submission to sobriety evaluations, you
should respond with "I’m sorry officer, but without speaking with my attorney, I
do not want to answer any questions or volunteer to perform any tests" and
follow that response with "May I call my attorney?". If the officer refuses,
indicate that if you are not under arrest, you wish to leave.
22. If you are allowed to leave and you believe you may
have had too much to drink, do not get back in the vehicle. Leave the vehicle
where it is. The cost of a tow bill is less than the cost of a drunk driving
defense.
23. Continually request to speak to an attorney before
answering questions or submitting to any chemical or field tests.
24. If you are placed under arrest, indicate to the
officer a desire to have an independent chemical test.
25. Pay close attention to each thing the officer does so
that you can give an accurate description of the night’s events.
26. Consider having every other drink be non-alcoholic.
27. Keep eye drops, such as Visine, with you and use
before leaving the place where you have been drinking.
28. Prior to driving, eat some heavy food, such as peanut
butter, onions, or chew spicy-flavored gum.
29. Eat prior to drinking and continue eating as you
drink. Concentrate on high carbohydrate foods, such as potatoes, rice, bread and
pasta.
30. Avoid drinking alcohol when you are sick, as certain
medications and/or having a fever can elevate your bodily alcohol content.
31. The combination of alcohol and certain medications
could cause you to be charged with another criminal offense, i.e., operating
under the influence of drugs.
34. Do not drink more than one drink per hour.
35. If you weigh 150 pounds or less, do not drink more
than one drink every two hours.
36. Drink plenty of water and consider alternating a full
12 ounces or more of water with every alcoholic drink.
37. If you feel the effects of alcohol or have a "buzz
on", consider not driving.
38. Stop drinking alcoholic beverages at least 1½ hours
before departing to drive home. During this period, consume several glasses of
water.
39. Perform sobriety evaluations on
yourself prior to driving.
40. Drive in as normal a manner as possible without
committing any traffic violations. Driving below the speed limit, wide turns,
weaving within your lane, or passing other slow moving vehicles, are actions,
while not traffic violations, that will draw attention to your vehicle and may
be used by the officer as the basis for a stop.