Walk & Turn

The Walk-and-Turn and One-Leg Stand are “divided attention” tests that are not easily performed by most people. They require a person to listen and follow instructions while performing physical movements. Impaired persons have difficulty with tasks requiring their attention to be divided between simple mental and physical exercises.

In the Walk-and-Turn test, the subject is directed to take nine steps, heel-to-toe, along a straight line. After taking the steps, the suspect must turn on one foot and return in the same manner in the opposite direction. The examiner looks for eight indicators of impairment that he/she will refer to as “clues”. If the suspect cannot keep balance while listening to the instructions, begins before the instructions are finished, stops while walking to regain balance, does not touch heel-to-toe, steps off the line, uses arms to balance, makes an improper turn, or takes an incorrect number of steps. If two or more clues are identified, a person is considered to be likely intoxicated. It is important to note that even the NHTSA concedes that only 68% of individuals who exhibit two (2) or more indicators in the performance of the test will have a BAC of 0.08% or greater.  It is also important to note whether a person has some reason unrelated to intoxication – such as a physical disability, high-heeled shoes, use of prescribed medication, obesity, advanced age, and many other additional reasons – that makes it more difficult to complete the test.  It is very important to point out these issues to a judge or jury when a case goes to trial.  The average person on the street cannot complete this test with 100% accuracy.  It is hard by any measure, if the instructions are performed precisely as given.  Remember, the police practice these tests almost on a daily basis.  They look great for court as they perform the test before a jury.  How do you think you will look when there are three officers, a K-9 unit and who knows who passing by as you’re trying to perform them along the roadside?