Field Sobriety Tests: Walk & Turn

From the recently published book, "DUI / DWI: The History of Driving Under the Influence."

Available for purschase at: http://www.amazon.com/DUI-DWI-History-Driving-Influence/dp/1432746227/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258400052&sr=1-3

Walk and Turn

The walk and turn test is a “divided attention” test that is designed to determine the subject’s balance, listening skills, and ability to follow instructions. In this test the participant stands in a heel-to-toe fashion with arms at their sides while a series of instructions are given by the officer. Following the instructional phase the suspect must then take nine heel-to-toe steps along a line, turn in a prescribed manner, and then take another nine heel-to-toe steps along the line. All of this must be done while counting the steps aloud and keeping the arms at the sides. The individual is informed not to stop walking until the test is completed.

NHTSA warns the officer that this test requires a “designated straight line and should be conducted on a reasonably dry, hard, level, non-slippery surface.” DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Student Manual. NHTSA; U.S. Department of Transportation. HS 178 R2/00, Page VIII-12 (2000) Additionally, the officer is informed in the manual that original research indicated that individuals over the age of 65, and those with back, leg or middle ear problems had difficulty performing the test. Subjects wearing heels more than 2 inches high should be given the opportunity to remove their shoes. Id. Over the years however, some of the original instructions and provided information has been deleted from subsequent student manuals.

For information on your DUI, please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com/