Police officers and sheriff’s deputies in Madison sometimes falsely accuse drivers of drinking and driving. In some cases, the evidence can seem to point to DUI, but the driver is actually completely sober.
For example, certain medical conditions can make it seem like a driver is impaired by alcohol when they are actually in the midst of a health problem, maybe without realizing it. Here are four illnesses and injuries that cause drunk-like symptoms even when the sufferer has had nothing to drink.
Diabetes
Diabetes causes the body to have trouble regulating the level of sugar in the blood. If a diabetic person’s blood sugar drops low enough, they can feel like they are intoxicated and have trouble maintaining their position in a lane on the road.
Seizures
A person with no history of epilepsy can experience a seizure while driving. Symptoms of a seizure can include things like a detached feeling or dreamy state, contorted limbs and loss of consciousness.
Traumatic brain injury
It isn’t always obvious right away that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), so it is possible that someone would suffer a blow to the head, think they are safe to drive, then start experiencing symptoms on the road. Common symptoms include dizziness, inability to focus, trouble with simple or complex movements, and slurred speech.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can affect a person’s ability to drive. While Alzheimer’s is typically associated with older adults, it can develop in younger individuals. Even in an early stage of the disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia can make a sufferer appear drunk to a police officer, with symptoms like confusion, memory problems, mood swings, poor balance and slurred or mumbled speech.
The fact is, police officers sometimes make mistakes and falsely arrest people on DUI charges. If this has happened to you, or if the police violated your rights at any point, you have the right to fight the charges. Your best chance of success comes with working with an experienced defense attorney.
