The police almost always assume the worst. So, when you’re pulled over for failing to use a blinker or crossing a center line, the law enforcement officer who confronts you may already think that you’re intoxicated. As a result, you may be subjected to field sobriety tests and even a breath test that seek to demonstrate that intoxication.
Yet, you may have very innocent reasons for presenting the way that you do. In fact, there are a number of medical conditions that can lead to failed field sobriety and breath tests. Let’s look at some of them here:
- Diabetes: This condition can cause an individual to become dizzy and disoriented, which can quickly lead an officer to believe that the driver is intoxicated. Additionally, increased ketones can lead a breath test to pick up the presence of alcohol when, in fact, there isn’t any.
- Epilepsy: An epileptic seizure can lead to an accident, and the driver who had the episode may present as dizzy, confused, and incoherent. This may lead to a drunk driving arrest without much else to support it.
- Ear problems: Much of our ability to balance comes from our inner ear. If you suffer from a medical condition that affects the inner ear, then you may struggle to perform field sobriety tests such as the one-leg stand and the walk and turn.
- Medications: Legally obtained and properly used medication can also lead to the appearance of intoxication. An individual may present with slurred speech, drowsiness, and a lack of balance that can be mistaken for intoxication.
- Physical injuries: If you’ve suffered an injury to your leg or knee, then you may find it hard to adequately perform some field sobriety tests. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers may attribute this to intoxication rather than your medical condition.
Educate yourself on your criminal defense options
Allegations of drunk driving should be taken seriously. After all, the police and prosecutors are going to do so. That’s why you need to know your criminal defense options and how to exploit them to your advantage. To learn more about what you can do to protect your future, consider discussing the circumstances of your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney.