Dallas Field Sobriety Tests

After a driver is suspected of DWI in Dallas, there are two types of tests he/she will be asked to consent to:  the breath test and the field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests are coordination based tests that are used by law enforcement to determine if people are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  It is believed that if a person performs the field sobriety tests poorly, it is because his/her coordination has been affected by drugs and/or alcohol he/she may have consumed.

In the United States, there are 3 field sobriety tests that are approved by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.  These tests are the:

• Walk and turn test
• One leg stand test
• Horizontal gaze nystagmus test

In the past, there were other tests that were commonly used by law enforcement, but these tests are no longer encouraged because they are known to be inaccurate in terms of determining if a person is intoxicated or not.  Some past field sobriety tests include:  counting officer’s fingers, reciting the alphabet, rhomberg stationary balance test, counting backwards, hand-pat test and standing with feet together and tilting the head backwards.

When an officer asks a person to perform the field sobriety tests, chances are that he/she already believes that the person is under the influence, so it is advisable that the person refuses to do the tests as the officer will decide if the person passes or fails.  Additionally, these tests are prone to error because not everyone has the natural agility or coordination it takes to perform these tests to a judgmental officer’s satisfaction.  It is a known fact that people have failed these tests for reasons like poor police instruction, bad weather, slippery roads and lack of lighting.

Dallas DWI Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated and you have questions about field sobriety testing, contact D'Amore Law Firm today to learn more about how our established legal team can assist you.