One of the more serious offenses while driving is driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Police officers have several ways of discovering whether a driver is driving under the influence. The officers can use breathalyzers or some sort of chemical test involving blood or urine. The most common and most easily administered tests are field sobriety tests.  Our Oklahoma City DUI attorneys want you to know what to expect in the event of being pulled over and having a field sobriety test administered.

 

Oklahoma DUI Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are conducted when a driver is pulled over and the officer suspects intoxication. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) set up the guidelines for the standardized field sobriety tests. The three standardized field sobriety tests in Oklahoma are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, the Walk-and-Turn, and the One-leg stand.

The Horizontal Gaze Test is when the officer asks you to follow the light from a flashlight with your eyes from side to side. The officer is testing to see if the driver’s eyes involuntarily jerk more than is usually expected from a sober person. If the officer finds more than three clues that indicate that you are under the influence from this test, he will assume you are guilty of driving under the influence.

The next test is the Walk and Turn. During this test, the officer watches as the driver walks nine steps in a straight line then turns around and walks the same line back to the officer. The officer looks for several mistakes like starting before he instructs, losing balance, and wobbling during the turnaround. This is a test to judge the driver’s coordination as well as his ability to follow instructions.

The last test is the One-leg stand. This is a test of the driver’s balance. While instructed to lift one leg, the driver must then count until instructed to put his foot down. The officer is looking to see if the driver loses his balance, uses his arms to balance, or stops before instructed to do so.

Officers may also administer non-standardized tests during the DUI stop. These tests include counting the number of fingers the officer raises, reciting the alphabet, counting backwards, doing the hand-pat test, placing your finger to you nose, and standing with feet together then tipping the head backwards.

 

Our OK DUI Lawyers Defend Your Rights

It is important to know your rights when dealing with a DUI or DWI charge. The DUI lawyers at Atkins and Markoff are experienced in defending DUI convictions. A DUI conviction is scary and potentially very detrimental to the individual, luckily by contacting a trusted Oklahoma City DUI lawyer, you will not face the ordeal alone.

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