Guide For Detecting Drunk Drivers At Night

#GUIDE FOR DETECTING DRUNK DRIVERS AT NIGHT SERIES#

Consequently, law enforcement agencies nationwide have been adopting the recommended 'standardized' battery of three tests. In other words, all other field sobriety tests are simply unreliable. Studies funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have shown that only three of the field sobriety tests are effective in detecting a drunk driver: nystagmus, one-leg-stand and walk-and-turn.

And, contrary to popular belief, they are not legally required: You may decline to take them with no adverse legal consequences (other than perhaps angering the officer). In fact, the accuracy of field sobriety tests has been repeatedly challenged in scientific studies. It is important to understand that these tests can be difficult for a sober person to 'pass' (a subjective determination by the officer). There are over a dozen such tests which have been used to varying degrees, the more common among them being one-leg-stand, walk-and-turn, nystagmus (following an object like a pen or finger from side-to-side with your eyes), the Rhomberg test (also called 'modified position of attention'), hand-pat, finger-to-nose, fingers-to-thumb and alphabet recitation.

#GUIDE FOR DETECTING DRUNK DRIVERS AT NIGHT SERIES#

(Urine tests are now given in California only when breath or blood are not available.)ДЇield sobriety tests, commonly referred to by officers and California DUI lawyers as 'FSTs', are simply a series of exercises designed in theory to test balance, coordination and divided attention (the ability to do two things at once).

Blood-Alcohol Evidence - Usually a breath test but sometimes a blood test.

Incriminating statements ('I only had six beers').

Field Sobriety Tests ('walk-the-line', reciting the alphabet, etc.).

Personal symptoms (slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, etc.).

Driving symptoms (weaving, lane straddling, etc.).

Guide For Detecting Drunk Drivers At Night