There are three standard field sobriety tests (FSTs) utilized by law enforcement officials in the state of Minnesota and throughout the United States. There is the HGN test, One Leg Stand test, and today we are going to discuss the Walk and Turn test. These FSTs are used to help officials gauge whether an individual suspected of DUI/DWI could actually be impaired or under the influence. According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Walk and Turn FST has an accuracy rating of 68 percent.
In a Walk and Turn test, the driver is asked to walk nine steps forward heel-to-toe, turn at the end, and then take another nine steps back in heel-to-toe position. Throughout the test, the driver should also count aloud while walking, and keep both arms at the side. The test is supposedly a simple test that can be performed without difficulty – except for persons who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The purpose of the test is twofold, as the driver suspected of DWI must be able to both understand the instructions and physically perform the test successfully.
While the test is being conducted, the police officer takes into consideration if the driver is able to follow instructions and use the heel-to-toe method, take the required number of steps, maintain his or her balance, stop to adjust his or her balance, and use his or her arms to keep balanced.
If an individual stops during the test, loses balance, or takes the wrong number of steps, then the officer may conclude that the driver is impaired and arrest him or her for DWI.
However, many consider the Walk and Turn test to be an unreliable method of identifying a drunk driver. If the test is administered in a dark area or an uneven, wet, or slippery surface, then the suspect’s performance may be impacted by such conditions. In some instances, the officer may also fail to provide proper instructions for performing the field sobriety test.
Also, certain individuals may have an especially difficult time performing this FST regardless of their level of impairment. Overweight and elderly drivers, for example, may likely have difficulty passing this test. People who suffer from vertigo or other conditions that affect coordination and balance may also be unable to successfully perform the Walk and Turn test. Other factors that may affect the accuracy of such FST are the police officer’s level of training, the driver’s prescription drug use, and physiological factors.
Source: Walk and Turn Test, published on https://www.fieldsobrietytests.org/walkandturntest.html.
