Police officers constantly monitor traffic for signs of illegal activity, including those who are out after drinking. Driving under the influence (DUI) offenses can send someone to jail and cost them their driver’s license. Police officers may stop anyone they suspect of impairment or who breaks any major traffic law.
Certain factors may make officers more suspicious about the potential for intoxication. People may get pulled over and screened for chemical intoxication based on the time of day when they encounter an officer and their driving habits. Sometimes other factors like a person’s vehicle, might make an officer suspect they are more likely to drive while drunk.
Are there certain types of vehicles that are more likely to belong to those accused of a DUI offense?
Researchers have found trends in DUI arrests
When looking at what someone drove at the time of their arrest, there are some interesting trends that arise. Certain vehicles were far more likely than others to be part of a drunk driving traffic stop or crash. There are 10 vehicle models in particular account for a significant percentage of the DUI arrests evaluated.
A Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck has the strongest association with DUI charges, as 4.95% of drunk driving arrests involve this popular model. The Subaru WRX was involved in another 4.1% of drunk driving cases. The other top eight models include:
- Chevrolet S-Series trucks
- Audi A4
- GMC Sonoma
- Toyota Tacoma
- Chevrolet Silverado
- GMC Sierra
- Dodge Dakota
- Ford Contour
Seven of those top ten models are pickup trucks, which may be a trend that police officers have noticed as well.
Truck drivers can anticipate a little extra scrutiny
Given the strong association between pickup trucks and impaired driving, those at the wheel of a Silverado or a Dodge Ram might have more reason to worry about a traffic stop and an arrest. Individuals who understand the factors that may heighten police can make better personal choices that could reduce their chance of getting arrested.
Learning more about trends in DUI charges may benefit those who frequently consume alcohol or who drive one of the vehicles listed above.