Police officers are always on the lookout for drunk drivers. Targeted enforcement is more common at certain times. The holidays tend to see an increase in drunk driving crashes, so enforcement efforts tend to increase around major holidays. Late nights and weekends also see more drunk driving crashes as opposed to late morning on a weekday.
Police officers may watch certain locations, such as streets close to popular bars or event venues. They may also target certain drivers because of their vehicles. Certain types of vehicles may have a stronger association with impaired driving than others. As a result, those who drive certain types of vehicles may be more likely to have police officers stop them and screen them for intoxication.
What vehicles may attract more enforcement efforts?
Police officers may associate certain types of vehicles with drunk driving. According to insurance industry data, certain types of vehicles are more likely than others to need coverage after a driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Those vehicles include:
- Ford Bronco
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Volkswagen New Beetle
- Buick Enclave
- Jaguar XF
- Chevrolet Blazer
- Chevrolet Astro
All of these vehicles made the top 10 based on 2024 insurance data, but they all had fewer than 30 DUIs per 1,000 drivers. The top three models had far more than that.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has the third-highest rate of DUI offenses, with 40.6 per 1,000 drivers. The Buick Encore GX has a strong association with DUI offenses, as there were 58.7 DUI convictions for every 1,000 people driving the Encore GX. The Buick Envista tops this ignoble list. A shocking 72.1 DUIs per 1,000 vehicles make the Envista the model most associated with DUI offenses.
Recognizing that certain models of vehicles have a stronger association with DUI charges could help people make better choices when they are in the market to replace their vehicles. The correlation between certain vehicle models and DUI rates might mean that some drivers get pulled over unfairly due to the type of vehicle they operate rather than their conduct on the road.
Small details can potentially play a key role in a DUI defense strategy. Identifying factors that may contribute to arrest risk can help motorists plan the best defense strategy possible given their circumstances.
The general information we provide should never be considered legal advice.