Police Field Sobriety Nystagmus Tests

A basic overview of field sobriety tests, including administration and how the test can be defeated.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• dui
• dwi
• drunk
• driving
• police
• horizontal
• gaze
• nystagmus
• sobriety
• sober
• line
• walk

[rosiepybus1991]

i feel that this is quite unfair towards us who have had nystagmus from birth.

[seandamondotcom]

what really makes me mad, is they did not MENTION anything about Neurological Disorders - Like MS, Motor Neuron Disorders, Brain Tumors, Stroke - People who have legitimate Neurological Disorders that would cause people with these to FAIL a field Sobriety test. Heal to toe, walking on heals, head back with eyes closed. These people need more education and speak about ALL POSSIBILITIES in detail instead of making EVERYONE with these problems as a suspect of being under the influence

[ukillinmepeety]

@seandamondotcom If they did feel that you are intoxicated and they do arrest you, you will be able to fight it out at the magistrates office. Even if they do jail you, you can fight it in court with medical documentation. You would then file a formal complaint against the officer that arrested you for no real reason and then you're rich!!!

[seandamondotcom]

@ukillinmepeety I agree.. But that does no good if it's not alcohol in question. Any substance affects the Central Nervous System. Once I tell the officer YES I do have a Medical Condition (Mine is a Motor Neuron Disease) is he or anyone else on duty really going to know the physical deficits and findings associated with my disease? Or will they just assume I am under the influence first?

[ukillinmepeety]

@seandamondotcom That is why they have portable breath tests.

[COMMANDERAVANT]

People that have a natural nystagmus and most police stations won't make an arrest based solely on the hen test.

[DAllen1738]

@fabsala I happen to disagree. Not everyone is stopped for "erratic" driving. I have been stopped or not having my headlights just as I pulled out of a parking garage. The officer asked if I was drinking and I said yes ( I had 2 beers.) If wanted to do some tests on me and of course the first one is the eye test. I actually have congenital nystagmus and informed them of that. With that in mind, the officer gave some more tests which I passed.

[fabsala]

Dont forget poor operation of the vehicle which is why the vehicle is stopped in the first place. And then there is the ever present odor of alcoholic beverage that hits the cop in the face when the window comes down.

There are three field sobriety tests done roadside. If you fail those you come in for a breath/blood/urine test. Which could prove you not to be impaired. I think people have more than enough opportunity to show that they are not intoxicated.

[NCC74913]

@rosiepybus1991 I agree I have had nystagmus from birth and when I got pulled over once it took a half hour to convince the officer that my was not from drugs but that I was born with it.

[amschoonover]

@seandamondotcom As police officers before we conducy ANY of these tests we are required to ask Do you have any medical problems? Not to mention there are several other tests, a preliminary breath test and others before a DUI is charged!

[amschoonover]

@seandamondotcom As police officers before we conducy ANY of these tests we are required to ask Do you have any medical problems?