Getting caught “Driving Under the Influence” is a traumatic experience. You’re driving home from the bar or from a friend’s house after dinner and you find yourself being pulled over by the police and put through a series of tests to check your sobriety. You aren’t really sure what is expected of you as the tests seem entirely arbitrary.
The problem is that if the police officer administering the test isn’t properly trained, you could be charged with a crime of which you are not guilty, simply because you didn’t walk the line properly.
There are three voluntary DUI tests that you can be asked to take when pulled over by a police officer. They are:
One Leg Stand Test
In this test, the officer will ask you to stand with your legs and arms together, and slowly raise your foot and hold it in place while counting.
HGN Test
The HGN Test requires the police officer to check the reaction time of your pupils as he rotates a stimulus through your field of vision. The officer will check your reaction time, how focused you are and the size of your pupils.
Walk-And-Turn Test
This is the test most often seen in the movies. The police officer will ask you to get out of the car and walk along a straight line, turn and walk back again.
The above tests are voluntary and you have the right to refuse to take them. It’s important not to confuse the above tests with the blood alcohol concentration test. Refusing to take that test if the officer has arrested you on suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated can get you in even further trouble.
