Walk the Line JENNA M. FLISZAR FLISZAR LAW OFFICE LLC • Lack of smooth pursuit
In 1981, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, sponsored research to test the accuracy of tests to which led to the development of the SFST. This is a battery of three tests intended to be administered by police officers in a standardized way to assist them in evaluating whether a driver may be under the influence and establish probable cause for the arrest. The three tests used for the SFST are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand.
If, between the two eyes, four or more clues appear, it is indicative of having a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) above .08%.
HGN
Walk and Turn
The first test that should be administered is the HGN. In this test, the officer is looking for an involuntary jerking of the eyes as the eyes track to the side, or nystagmus. An alcohol-impaired person will be exaggerated and show nystagmus at lesser angles, and the person will also have trouble smoothly tracking a moving object with their eyes. When performing the test, the officer will ask a suspect to track a small object, such as a pen or the tip of the officer’s finger. The clues the officer is looking for are:
The second test to be administered is the Walk and Turn. This is a divided attention test where the person is expected to perform certain tasks during an instruction and a walking stage. The person is directed to stand in one place as the officer gives instructions for the test. Then, he or she is directed to take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line (real or imaginary). After taking nine steps, he or she turns on one foot and returns to the starting point in the same manner. The officer is looking for the following eight clues:
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• Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation • Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees
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