June 18, 2018 | DUI

The Walk and Turn, as it is known, is a divided attention field sobriety test. Divided attention means that it is a test which requires the subject to concentrate on both mental and physical tasks at the same time. The other divided attention test commonly utilized by law enforcement is the One-Leg Stand.

Generally, even prior to the start of the test the law enforcement officer will instruct you to stand still as he explains how to perform the test. If while standing still you have trouble keeping your balance, paying attention, or start the test early he may use this observation to find probable cause to arrest you, even though the test has not started. The instructions are supposed to be that you are to take nine steps in a heal-to toe fashion in straight line and use one foot to turn 180 degrees and take nine more steps.

The Walk and Turn utilizes 7 indicators of intoxication, again observations for these indicators begins prior to your actual performance of the test, as follows:

1. Failure to maintain your balance while listening to the officer’s instructions
2. Beginning walking before the officer has completed the instructions
3. Stopping while walking in order to regain your balance
4. Failure to touch your feet heel-to-toe
5. Use of your arms to maintain your balance
6. Losing your balance while turning
7. Taking an incorrect number of steps.

The presence of two or more of these indicators is evidence of impairment.

The Walk and Turn test has been criticized for being inaccurate and unreliable, regardless it is still widely used and is a highly subjective test.

Remember if you are stopped for driving under the influence and submit to field sobriety testing you are being observed for signs of intoxication or impairment even when you are not actively performing a test.

Field Sobriety Tests – The Walk and Turn