Reader’s Question:

It can be alarming that other illnesses can actually get an individual arrested for DUI here in Anchorage, Alaska. This is because a close friend of mine told me a story about his father driving and was arrested for DUI but he wasn’t actually driving under any intoxicated substance. What medical conditions can place a person at high-risk for wrongfully being arrested for DUI?

Stewart

Anchorage, AK

I have also heard several cases in Anchorage, Alaska that a person’s medical conditions can be associated with the symptoms of being intoxicated, and thus can get him/her arrested for DUI. Illnesses can be reasons why a person can have bloodshot or watery eyes or bad balance or poor coordination.

Often times, some drivers fear talking back to police officers. Some of them have been arrested and prosecuted when having ailments which remained undiagnosed, never knowing that a medical condition, and not alcohol or drug impairment, caused their intoxicated appearance and poor performance when taking DUI field sobriety tests (FST).

Even when not detecting the use of alcohol, police officers are actually permitted to arrest drivers when seeing traits or behaviors which they associate with DUI, such as a reddened face, watery eyes or other traits which could result from medical ailments. Medical conditions such as anxiety, anemia, ear infections, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibrositis, acne, bell’s palsy, gout or even common cold can often mimic the side effects of alcohol or drug use.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer