The Rise of DUI Technology: How Florida Courts Are Responding to In-Vehicle Cameras and Ride-Share Data
Over the past decade, DUI investigations have changed dramatically. What used to rely primarily on an officer’s observations (bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or field sobriety tests) now increasingly depends on various forms of technology. Florida DUI cases regularly involve evidence from in-vehicle cameras, ride-share apps, ignition data, and even advanced telematics systems built into newer cars. These tools can either help or hurt defendants, and understanding how courts treat this evidence is critical.
In-vehicle cameras: Help or harm?
These days, a lot of newer cars come with built-in cameras—whether for parking assistance, safety features, or GPS functions. In some cases, those cameras capture interior or dashcam footage that shows exactly what happened before a traffic stop. And that video can end up being a critical piece of evidence.
Say a dashcam shows the driver staying in their lane, moving at a reasonable speed, and driving calmly, without any of the swerving or erratic movements an officer might later claim. That footage could raise serious questions about whether the stop was truly justified. Likewise, interior video might reveal how the driver was talking or behaving when the officer approached. These details can either support or cast doubt on allegations of impairment.
Florida courts generally allow this kind of footage to be introduced, as long as it’s properly authenticated and clearly relevant to the case. Used the right way, it can become a powerful tool to challenge not just the stop itself, but also the strength of the prosecution’s impairment claims.
Telematics and vehicle data
Today’s vehicles are more than just machines. They’re constantly collecting information. From speed and braking to steering habits and even collision avoidance actions, that data can paint a picture of what was happening behind the wheel. Prosecutors sometimes try to use this kind of vehicle data to suggest a pattern of unsafe driving tied to impairment.
But interpreting that information isn’t always straightforward. Defense attorneys often push back by questioning a few key things:
- Does the data truly reflect the driver’s behavior (or could something else explain it)?
- Was the data obtained legally?
- Could outside factors (like rain, poor road conditions, or a mechanical issue) have affected the readings?
- And most importantly, has the state laid a proper foundation to interpret any of it accurately?
Florida courts tend to take a cautious approach with telematics data. Judges typically want clear, reliable proof before they’ll allow it into evidence, and in many cases, expert testimony is essential to explain what the data actually means.
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