Why do US police still administer walking the line and ABC tests for suspected DUI?

Stan P

Because the more evidence they have against you, the better for the case. The old-fashioned tests have stood the test of time in court and are still useful.

Vindicaire

There are three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.

1) Walk and Turn Test (walk 9 steps heel-to-toe, turn and 9 steps back)

2) One-leg stand test

3) Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test (eyes)

These tests are used by the officers to indicate a level of drunkeness. There are certain factors to look for, and a certain number of *fails* per test means more probable cause.

The handheld field BAC testor, or the PBT (preliminary breath test) is not admissable in court. It is just used as a back up for the officer's suspicions. The pbt is not a certified test. It is reliable enough to give the officer an idea of the BAC, but not exact enough for court.

Once the suspect is brought to the jail they are given an intoxilyzer breath test. The intoxilyzer test is certified and the machine is calibrated before each use. This result is the official BAC for court. The SFST's from above are just used as probable cause to warrant the use of the intoxilyzer.

Keith

Yes they do mainly because those tests have a history in court as a way to determine impairment but new tests have been added as well. The results of hand held intoxilizers used on the road side are not admissable in court here.

booboo

They do that first then if they suspect that the person is drunk then they do the Breathalyzer test.

Brian C

What if the suspect is impaired by something besides an alcoholic beverage? SFST's are administered in a certain order every time with the PBT given as the final test. If the person fails the tests, showing obvious signs of being impaired, and no alcohol registers on the PBT, it tells the officer he/she needs to skip the Intoxilyzer and get a blood test from the suspect.

LawComm

Yes most agencies have portable breath testing kits, but it's all good evidence. If you do a few of these tests, including a breath test, you have enough probable cause to haul that person to jail and tow their vehicle. You get them to the jail and do a more sophisticated type of breath test to be sure and charge someone with an actual DUI. It looks good in court to have more that one failed test. And there are a few things that affect a portable test.. like cold weather.

Tyler F

Well you see, before the police suspect a person forr a DUI, they are required by state law to go through a series of tests, including walking the line, abc forwards and backwards, saying numbers, putting their left or right foot up while counting to 30, follow the finger. If a person does not do so hot on these tests then the police pull out the breathalizer from the trunk. If they are above the legal limit they go down to the station and serve some time and a hefty fine. Trust me my dad is a policeman and we have talks about things like this all the time, hopefully this helps you!

bcre8iv

Because it's entertaining. My favorite was to drop two dimes and one nickle on the ground and tell them to pick up "A QUARTER". When they say there's no quarter on the ground I tell them not only are you drunk but you can't add either. That's a little cop humor. But really it's all about probable cause and establishing your case. The officer can testify to vehicle operation, initial observation upon contact with the suspect (odor, speech etc.) field tests (balance, verbal and if qualified nystagmus gaze test). That combined with a properly administered breathalizer test makes a good case for the police officer.

2Bad4U

It is just the start,if you fail, then they bring out the Breathalyzer. But so many will refuse to take that...but they will say the ABC's and walk the line...they really think they can something like walk a straight line...after all they do that everyday.

Satan's Attorney

They do have the breathalyzers, but I believe they prefer to humiliate the suspected DUI drivers.

curious1

You would think so in todays world. I guess they get their kicks watching stupid human tricks

Steph

Maybe not in these country side redneck counties ;-)

Geaux LSU Tigers!!!

In CA, the cops have to observe the person for 15 minutes before pulling out the breath tester. The stupid human tricks pass the time and try to reinforce how loaded someone could be. And the cop will lie about it all anyway. The more people they arrest, the more money that files in.

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