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Police officers need to have a valid reason to initiate a traffic stop. In some cases, this might because they notice a traffic violation, but that’s not always present. They may notice symptoms of drunk driving, which is known as reasonable suspicion. 
Reasonable suspicion means that the police officer sees something that any reasonable person would know signals that a driver is impaired. Once they notice this, they can initiate the traffic stop to find out what’s going on with the driver. 
What signs might point to drunk driving?
Many impaired drivers show similar signs when they’re behind the wheel. Some of the more common include:

Swerving or crossing into other lanes
Stopping without having a reason to do so
Failing to abide by traffic signs or signals
Leaving the headlights off when they’re required

Police officers will try to determine if the driver is impaired. This usually begins with speaking to the driver. It may also include asking the driver to take a chemical test or a field sobriety test. The results of those may lead to probable cause, which is required for a drunk driving arrest. 
Individuals who are arrested for drunk driving may face a long legal battle. They should learn about their options for a defense strategy so they can determine how to proceed. Working with someone familiar with these cases may benefit them. That way, they have someone who can assist them with finding the strategy that is the best choice for their situation.