Modern Vehicle Data Can Be a Powerful Tool in Challenging Drunk Driving Charges

DUI cases in Florida often come down to what the officer says versus what you can prove. In today’s world, your car might be your strongest witness. Most vehicles manufactured in the last decade are equipped with telematics systems that record speed, braking, steering inputs, GPS location, and even seatbelt usage. If you're facing DUI charges, that data could help challenge the state’s version of what happened.

As a Florida DUI defense attorney, I’ve used vehicle data to successfully dispute key parts of the prosecution’s case. In some situations, the data shows that the vehicle was never even in motion or that the alleged driving pattern doesn’t match what the officer claimed. But this kind of evidence is only available if we act quickly and have the resources to recover and analyze it. That’s why hiring a private attorney early makes all the difference.

What Is Vehicle Telematics Data and Why It Matters in a DUI Case

Telematics refers to the technology in your car that records and transmits information about how it is being used. Systems like OnStar, FordPass, Toyota Connected Services, or Tesla’s onboard logs continuously collect data while the car is operating.

This data includes:

  • GPS location and route history

  • Time-stamped acceleration and braking patterns

  • Speed at specific times

  • Steering angle and lane positioning

  • Whether doors were open or closed

  • Ignition status

  • Seat occupancy and seatbelt usage

In a Florida DUI case, this information can be critical in establishing or disputing whether you were driving, how the vehicle was being operated, or whether an accident happened the way the officer claimed. Florida DUI charges are often based on circumstantial evidence, especially if you were found asleep in your vehicle or parked at the side of the road.

With a private defense team, we can subpoena or obtain this data from the manufacturer and work with an automotive forensic analyst to interpret it. This is not something a public defender can typically do due to limited resources and time.

Florida DUI Law: The Statutory Framework

Florida Statute § 316.193 governs DUI charges. It states:

“A person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence… if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle… while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance… or any controlled substance… to the extent that the person's normal faculties are impaired.”

What matters most under this law is the element of actual physical control and impairment. Officers frequently try to prove impairment based on their observations, field sobriety tests, or breathalyzer results. But if your vehicle telematics can show that the car was never in motion, or that it stopped hours before the police interaction, that may cast doubt on whether you were “driving” under the statute.

Having an attorney who understands how this data ties into Florida law and how to introduce it into evidence is key to building a solid defense.

Real Case Example: Vehicle Data Saved My Client From a DUI Conviction

One of my clients was arrested for DUI after being found sleeping in the driver’s seat of his SUV at a gas station in Tampa. Officers claimed he had the keys in the ignition, smelled of alcohol, and showed signs of impairment. He insisted that he had been parked for hours and was waiting for a friend to pick him up.

We filed a motion to suppress based on lack of probable cause, but the turning point came when we obtained telematics data from the vehicle’s manufacturer. It showed that the ignition had been turned on for climate control but the vehicle had not moved in over five hours. GPS logs placed the car stationary in the same location during that entire time. There was no brake activity or steering input recorded.

This data directly contradicted the officer’s implication that my client had just driven there intoxicated. The prosecution ultimately dropped the DUI charge before trial. Without access to that data—and the ability to interpret it—we wouldn’t have been able to prove our case.

Key Defenses That Telematics Can Support

No Actual Physical Control

If the car wasn’t moving or there was no evidence that you intended to drive, that weakens the state's case. Telematics can show if the car was off, if the doors were locked from the outside, or if no movement occurred for hours.

No Probable Cause for Stop

If the officer claims you were swerving or braking erratically, but the vehicle data shows steady speed and no sharp steering changes, we can argue that the stop was unjustified.

No Crash or Damage

In cases where DUI is alleged following an accident, but the officer didn’t witness the crash, we can use onboard data to show that no hard braking, airbag deployment, or rapid deceleration occurred.

Data Conflicts with Timeline

We’ve seen cases where officers claim a certain time of driving or behavior, only to have that narrative fall apart when time-stamped vehicle data tells a different story.

Again, this requires a legal team that can subpoena the data, get it fast, and work with analysts to translate it into court-admissible evidence. It’s not a service a court-appointed lawyer can typically provide due to resource limitations.

Why You Need a Private DUI Defense Lawyer in Florida

Telematics-based DUI defenses are cutting edge. Judges are not always familiar with the technology, and prosecutors may resist admitting it as evidence. It takes a defense attorney who knows how to get the data, qualify the expert witness, and integrate the evidence into a legal strategy tied to Florida DUI law.

From our experience defending DUI cases across Florida, we know how to request data preservation letters immediately, work with auto manufacturers, and build a factual record that puts the state on the defensive. The earlier you bring in a private attorney, the better chance you have of preserving that critical evidence.

Telematics vs. Police Reports: Leveling the Playing Field

Officers often rely on subjective observations—bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, the smell of alcohol. Telematics gives us objective data to counter those claims. Imagine the power of saying:

  • “The car never moved.”

  • “The client parked at 9:43 p.m. and didn’t touch the ignition until police arrived.”

  • “There was no sudden braking or speeding—just a smooth stop in a legal parking space.”

These facts can dramatically shift the direction of a case. They can help get charges dismissed or lead to not guilty verdicts at trial. But only if someone is actively fighting to get and use that information.

Telematics Systems We’ve Worked With in DUI Cases

We’ve successfully used data from:

  • General Motors’ OnStar

  • FordPass

  • Hyundai Bluelink

  • Toyota Safety Connect

  • Tesla onboard logs

  • Stellantis Uconnect

  • BMW Assist and Mercedes mbrace

Every system is different. Some record second-by-second data. Others use event-based logs. A private defense team can identify the system in your vehicle, work with engineers or former manufacturer employees, and build a timeline that tells your side of the story.

Musca Law, P.A. has a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys dedicated to defending people charged with a criminal or traffic offense. We are available 24/7/365 at 1-888-484-5057 for your FREE consultation. We have 30 office locations in Florida and serve all counties in Florida.

DUI Defense Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can my car’s data really help prove I wasn’t driving?
Yes. Many vehicles store detailed information about ignition cycles, movement, and GPS location. If the data shows the car was parked for hours or never moved, it can support a defense that you weren’t driving or weren’t in actual physical control of the vehicle, which is required under Florida’s DUI statute.

How do you get telematics data from a car?
We typically submit a preservation letter to the manufacturer, then serve a subpoena or request records with your consent. Timing is crucial because some data systems overwrite logs after a certain period. As your legal team, we act fast to preserve this evidence before it’s lost.

What if the police say I was swerving, but I wasn’t?
We’ve had cases where the officer claimed erratic driving, but telematics logs showed consistent speed and no sharp lane departures. That kind of contradiction can undermine the officer’s credibility and may help suppress the initial traffic stop or lead to a dismissal.

Does it matter what kind of car I was driving?
Yes. Not all vehicles have telematics systems or store the same type of data. Newer vehicles, especially from brands like GM, Ford, Tesla, and Toyota, often have extensive logs. We’ll help determine whether your vehicle has usable data and how to obtain it.

Can you use vehicle data in DUI cases that involve accidents?
Definitely. Telematics can show whether you were braking, accelerating, or steering before an impact. This information can support arguments that you were not impaired or that the accident wasn’t caused by your driving. We’ve used this to dispute fault and reduce charges.

What if I was asleep in the car with the engine running?
We see this often. Telematics can reveal whether the car was ever moved, how long it was parked, and when the ignition was turned on. If you were using the car for shelter and not driving, that may be a viable defense against a DUI charge under Florida law.

Is this something a public defender can do?
Public defenders are often overloaded and may not have the time or budget to request and analyze vehicle data or work with telematics experts. A private attorney can dedicate the resources and attention your case requires to pursue this type of defense effectively.

Can vehicle data be used against me?
Yes, it can work both ways. If the data shows the car was speeding, braking erratically, or accelerating just before an arrest, the prosecution may try to use it. But we can also review that data carefully to provide context or show that any unusual driving was not due to impairment.

Does Florida law allow telematics data as evidence?
Yes. Telematics data is admissible if properly authenticated. We work with expert witnesses to establish that the data is accurate and comes from your vehicle. Courts have accepted this kind of evidence in multiple DUI cases when presented properly.

How soon after a DUI arrest should I call an attorney to preserve vehicle data?
Immediately. Time is critical. Vehicle data may be overwritten or deleted within days or weeks depending on the system. We begin working to preserve that evidence the moment you hire us, which can make all the difference in building your defense.

Contact Musca Law 24/7/365 at 1-888-484-5057 For Your FREE Consultation

Musca Law, P.A. has a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys dedicated to defending people charged with a criminal or traffic offense. We are available 24/7/365 at 1-888-484-5057 for your FREE consultation. We have 30 office locations in Florida and serve all counties in Florida.