Walk and Turn Test: An Overview

The Walk and Turn test is a divided attention exercise with two stages: instructional and performance. During instructions, the person must stand heel to toe, listen, and keep their arms at their sides.

Purpose of the Walk and Turn Test

The Walk and Turn test aims to assess a person’s balance and coordination, indicators of impairment. This test requires the individual to follow instructions while maintaining balance. The test further assesses the ability to divide attention between physical actions and cognitive tasks. It involves walking nine heel-to-toe steps, turning, and returning, testing motor skills and mental acuity.

Officers look for clues such as balance issues, stepping off the line, incorrect steps, and arm use. The evaluation of these indicators allows law enforcement to determine potential impairment. The test helps in making informed decisions about further investigation or intervention.

Success in the task requires focus and physical control. Failure may suggest cognitive or motor skill issues. The test is an important part of sobriety assessments.

Instructional Stage

The instructional stage requires the individual to place their left foot on a line with their right foot touching heel to toe. It is important to keep arms down.

Positioning and Balance

During the positioning and balance phase of the Walk and Turn test, individuals are instructed to stand with their feet heel-to-toe on a real or imaginary line. The officer will demonstrate the proper stance, emphasizing that the heel of one foot should be touching the toe of the other foot. Arms should be kept at the sides, and the subject should maintain this position until further instructions are given.

The purpose of this initial stance is to assess the individual’s ability to maintain balance while dividing their attention between physical positioning and listening to the officer’s instructions. This divided attention is a critical component of the test, as impairment can manifest as difficulty in maintaining balance during this seemingly simple task. Officers observe whether the person can hold the position without swaying, using their arms for balance, or stepping off the line before the test begins. Any of these actions may indicate impairment.

Verbal Instructions

During the verbal instructions phase, the officer provides clear and concise directions on how to perform the Walk and Turn test. These instructions typically involve directing the subject to place their left foot on a line, either real or imagined, and then position their right foot in front of it, heel-to-toe.

The officer will then explain that, upon command, the subject is to take nine steps heel-to-toe along the line, turn on one foot, and return, taking nine heel-to-toe steps back. Crucially, the officer emphasizes the need to count each step aloud, keep their eyes on their feet, and keep their arms at their sides throughout the entire process. The officer also tells the subject not to start until told to begin.

Demonstration by the Officer

To ensure clarity, the officer will physically demonstrate the Walk and Turn test after giving the verbal instructions. This demonstration visually reinforces the proper technique, allowing the subject to observe the required movements. The officer will show how to place one foot directly in front of the other, heel to toe, maintaining balance.

They will then demonstrate taking nine steps in this manner, counting aloud and keeping their eyes focused downward; The turn is shown as a series of small steps using the other foot. Finally, the officer demonstrates returning along the line, again with heel-to-toe steps, counting aloud, and focusing on their feet, with arms at their sides. This visual aid complements the verbal instructions.

Confirmation of Understanding

Following the demonstration and verbal instructions, a crucial step is to confirm the subject’s understanding. The officer will directly ask if the instructions are clear, seeking an affirmative response. This step ensures the subject has the opportunity to clarify any doubts or uncertainties before beginning the performance stage.

It’s essential to address any confusion to ensure a fair assessment. If the subject indicates a lack of understanding, the officer should reiterate the instructions and demonstration, providing additional clarification as needed. The goal is to ensure the subject comprehends the test requirements before proceeding, promoting accuracy in the evaluation of their performance during the Walk and Turn test.

Performance Stage

After the instructional phase, the performance stage begins. The subject is instructed to start walking, taking nine heel-to-toe steps, turning, and returning with nine heel-to-toe steps while counting aloud.

Walking Heel-to-Toe

During the Walk and Turn test’s performance stage, individuals must walk heel-to-toe, placing each foot directly in front of the other along a straight line. This simulates divided attention, requiring balance and focus. Officers look for indicators of impairment, like stepping off the line or failing to maintain balance.

The suspect is instructed to take nine steps, touching heel to toe, then turn and take nine steps back. Maintaining balance while walking heel-to-toe is crucial. Any deviation or misstep might be noted as a clue. This assesses physical coordination and ability to follow directions.

The officer observes the suspect’s ability to walk in a straight line, touching heel to toe with each step. This challenging task requires focus and physical coordination, and any difficulties may suggest impairment. This part of the Walk and Turn test assesses divided attention.

Number of Steps

The Walk and Turn test requires taking a specific number of steps, precisely nine forward and nine back. Deviating from this count can indicate impairment. Officers carefully observe whether the individual correctly counts and completes the required steps. This tests concentration and the ability to follow instructions accurately.

The suspect is instructed to take nine steps, turn, and then take nine steps back. Any deviation from this number, such as taking too few or too many steps, can be a sign of impairment. The officer is trained to recognize and document such errors as potential clues.

Completing the correct number of steps demonstrates the ability to concentrate and follow directions. Incorrect step count is one of the clues of impairment that an officer looks for during the Walk and Turn test. This assessment highlights the importance of cognitive function during the test.

Turning Procedure

The turning procedure in the Walk and Turn test is critical. After taking nine steps, the suspect must turn on one foot. This requires balance and coordination. The officer observes how smoothly the suspect executes the turn. An improper turn, such as stumbling or using arms for balance, indicates impairment.

During the turn, the individual is expected to keep one foot planted and pivot smoothly. Taking several small steps or losing balance during the turn is a sign of difficulty. The officer evaluates the turn for signs of unsteadiness and lack of coordination, both of which are clues of impairment.

The turning procedure is a vital part of the Walk and Turn test. It places a demand on the suspect’s balance and motor skills. A successful turn demonstrates the ability to maintain control. A failed turn can signal impairment to the officer.

Returning Heel-to-Toe

After completing the turn, the individual is instructed to return heel-to-toe. This part of the test requires maintaining balance and coordination while walking backward along the line. The officer observes closely for any signs of impairment during this phase.

Returning heel-to-toe demands focus and precision. The individual must continue to place each foot directly in front of the other, maintaining contact between heel and toe. Stepping off the line, using arms for balance, or an incorrect number of steps are indicators of impairment.

The return walk is a crucial element of the Walk and Turn test. It challenges the suspect’s ability to follow instructions and maintain balance under stress. Successful completion suggests sobriety, while errors suggest impairment and potential intoxication.

Clues of Impairment

During the Walk and Turn test, officers look for eight specific clues. These clues indicate impairment, such as balance issues, stepping off line, incorrect steps, or using arms for balance.

Balance Issues

Maintaining balance during the instructional phase of the Walk and Turn test is crucial. Individuals are instructed to stand with their feet heel-to-toe and arms at their sides while listening to further instructions. An inability to maintain this position indicates impairment. The officer observes if the person cannot keep their balance while listening to the instructions. This shows they struggle to divide attention between balancing and processing instructions. It is common for the person to immediately get into the heel-to-toe stance and start walking before being told to do so, showing a lack of balance and cognitive control. A suspect may sway, hop, or raise their arms to maintain balance, indicating a potential issue with their equilibrium. This is an important clue during assessment.

Stepping Off Line

During the performance stage of the Walk and Turn test, one of the clues officers look for is stepping off the line. The suspect is instructed to take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line, turn, and take nine steps back. Deviation from the straight line is a sign of impairment. An individual who repeatedly steps off the line demonstrates a lack of coordination and balance. This can be indicative of the effects of alcohol or drugs. Officers are trained to observe and document each instance when the suspect fails to maintain their steps on the line. Frequent stepping off line is a significant clue.

Incorrect Number of Steps

Another clue of impairment during the Walk and Turn test is an incorrect number of steps. The test requires the suspect to take nine steps forward and nine steps back, following specific instructions. If the individual fails to complete the prescribed number of steps, it indicates a lack of mental acuity or impaired coordination. Counting steps correctly while maintaining balance requires focus and cognitive ability. An incorrect number of steps suggests difficulty in dividing attention between physical and mental tasks. Officers document any deviation from the required nine steps as a sign of possible intoxication. This adds to the overall assessment of impairment.

Use of Arms for Balance

Using arms for balance during the Walk and Turn test is a clue of impairment. Individuals are instructed to keep their arms at their sides throughout the test. Raising arms more than six inches from the side indicates a need for additional stability. Maintaining balance requires a combination of coordination and inner equilibrium. When impaired, individuals often struggle to keep their balance without using their arms. This reliance on arms to maintain stability suggests that the person’s motor skills and coordination are affected. Officers record the use of arms for balance as a sign of possible impairment, contributing to the overall assessment.