Heavy Winds and DWI
Be Careful! Heavy winds and DWI or BWI are often related.
Heavy winds and DWI sometimes go together because heavy winds can have a large effect on a person’s ability to drive. A common reason for a DWI stop is “swerving,” but there are many potential reasons for that aside from intoxication. Heavy wind is one of those potential reasons. This can often be more true for Commercial Truck Drivers.
With Texas weather, there can sometimes be no telling when a storm will hit. But, almost anyone who has decided to drive during a storm will say that heavy wind can be dangerous. Even outside of a storm, it only takes about 20 – 30 mph winds to have a slight effect on driving. When the wind speed rises to 40 – 60 is when the effect truly becomes serious. With winds at those speeds, most drivers would have to be extra careful while driving. Meanwhile, CDL drivers risk overturning due to the high center of gravity such large trucks have.
When Mimi evaluates a DWI case that involves swerving (or even certain DWI accidents), the weather at the time of arrest is one of the factors she considers. This is true not only for the “driving” stage of a DWI arrest, but for the SFSTs as well. If the wind is heavy enough to contribute to swerving, then how can the officer expect you to walk a straight line when the wind is knocking you down?! Yet any “staggering” the officer sees during the test will be marked as a sign of intoxication, which is ridiculous!
Heavy Winds and Boating While Intoxicated
Mimi is an avid boater so she knows that heavy wind can also have an effect on boating. Boats are very sensitive to the wind, and most boaters would hesitate to take their boat out on the lake if the wind is 15 mph or more. While boaters may not have the same “weaving” problem as cars, a strong gust may cause collisions, which sometimes evolves into a Boating While Intoxicated investigation.
More about Mimi Coffey & The Coffey Firm
When people look for a Top DWI Attorney or Best DWI Attorney, they look for experience, certification, and respect in the legal community. Mimi Coffey is a nationally-renowned trial attorney, board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. She has been practicing for over 24 years and is an author of multiple DWI Defense textbooks. She is also a national and state-wide lecturer on the law.
The Coffey Firm handles a wide variety of cases, including Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW), Assault (including family violence), and Possession charges. We can also help you try to get a DWI off your record or avoid probation revocation.
Mimi is also listed on several “top criminal lawyer near me” directory listings such as Wise County DWI Lawyers, Tarrant County DWI Lawyer, Dallas County DWI attorney, Collin County DWI attorneys and Parker County DWI attorneys. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in Dallas – Fort Worth. She is also involved in the Texas Tech School of Law foundation and enjoys using the skills she has developed to give back to the community.