During the Walk and Turn exercise, if the driver does not maintain the heel-to-toe position, what should be recorded?

In the Walk and Turn exercise used during field sobriety tests, maintaining a heel-to-toe position is a crucial aspect of the assessment. If the driver fails to keep this position, it is considered a sign of impairment. The heel-to-toe alignment is expected to demonstrate not only balance but also the ability to follow directions carefully.

When a driver does not maintain the heel-to-toe position, this is recorded as a clue indicating possible intoxication. The test is designed to measure different facets of physical coordination and mental clarity, which are often affected by alcohol or drug use. Therefore, any deviation from the expected performance, such as not maintaining the proper step alignment, is significant and should be documented by the officer conducting the test. This contributes to the overall evaluation of the driver’s sobriety.