Reader’s Question:

I have heard from my friends who have already been pulled over because of a DUI suspicion here in Jacksonville, Florida that they performed a field sobriety test like the walk and turn. Just out of curiosity, what do police officers tell a DUI suspect to do during a sobriety test like the walk and turn? What are the clues that they are looking for?

Megan

Jacksonville, FL

The Walk and Turn or WAT is actually a walking test. The WAT is 68% accurate in determining blood alcohol content (BAC) above .10 percent if administered properly. The test must be conducted on a reasonably hard, level, dry and non-slippery surface in order to be administered properly. There has to be a designated straight line. This is one of the field sobriety tests being conducted in Jacksonville, Florida.

The police officer would direct the person to put one foot in front of the other in a straight line, with the right foot directly in front of the left, with the heel of the right foot touching the toe of the left foot. The person is directed to stand in this position until directed to begin the test. It is behavior inconsistent with this instruction that most often would result in a “clue” that is being used to determine intoxication. For example, the person would move out of position, or start test before instructed to do so.

Then, the police officer would demonstrate the test while giving verbal instructions on how to do test. The officer would tell the person to take nine heel-to-toe steps down a straight line. The officer would instruct the person on how to correctly turn, after the initial nine steps have been taken. A proper turn is taken with a series of small steps, which the officer actually demonstrates. The person is then supposed to take another series of nine heel-to-toe steps back to the starting position. The officer would instruct the person to keep the arms at their side, watch their feet at all times, and count each step out loud. The person is directed not to stop until the test is completed.

The officer should ask if the person understands the test before the test is initiated.

The clues that the police officer is looking for are the following:
-Cannot keep balance while listening to instructions
-Starts before the instructions are finished
-Stops while walking
-Does not touch heel-to-toe
-Steps off the line
-Uses arms to balance
-Improper turn
-Incorrect number of steps