At what point should an officer start collecting information about a suspected intoxicated driver?

The appropriate moment for an officer to begin gathering information about a suspected intoxicated driver is when they observe initial suspicious driving. This early observation is crucial because it allows the officer to document specific behaviors that may indicate impairment, such as erratic lane changes, sudden stops, or swerving. Capturing these details immediately provides a foundation for any subsequent actions, including the decision to initiate a stop, conduct field sobriety tests, or make an arrest.

By starting the information-gathering process at the moment of observing suspicious driving, the officer establishes a timeline and context for the suspected violation, which can be vital in building a case. This proactive approach is important for ensuring that the officer has sufficient evidence should the situation escalate to an arrest or legal proceedings. In contrast, waiting until after the vehicle has been stopped or until after a field sobriety test would limit the ability to collect information about the driver's behavior leading up to those events.