What is the walk-and-turn test?

You may have heard people in California reference field sobriety tests and wonder exactly what types of things are tested and how these tests are administered. One of the standardized tests is called the walk-and-turn test. As explained by FieldSobrietyTests.org, this test alone is considered to have an accuracy rate of 66 percent.

In this test, an officer must first give you instructions and personally demonstrate what you are asked to do. One thing that can work against you in this test is if you do not keep yourself balanced while you are listening to the instructions. Another potential probiem is any premature commencement of the test before you are officially instructed to begin. When taking the test, you are supposed to walk a certain number of steps in heel-to-toe fashion, turn in a specific manner and walk that same number of steps back to your original starting point.

When executing the test, if you move your arms away from your side such as to help yourself balance or if you do not turn properly, your chance of passing the test may diminish. You should also not stop taking steps but keep moving through the entire test. Maintaining a strict alignment of heel to toe with each step is another requirement for passing the test.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give Californai residents an overview of one of the three standardized field sobriety tests that can be used in a drunk driving arrest.