No one actually plans to drink too much and get behind the wheel, resulting in a DUI arrest, but it’s helpful to know what’s involved when a police officer pulls you over on suspicion of DUI. Over the years, there have been so many false arrests of people who police officers thought were driving drunk, but it turned out that they weren’t. Knowing what the police officer is looking for can help you avoid a false DUI arrest.
Intoxication or normal behavior? It’s sometimes hard to tell
During traffic stops, police officers are always keeping their eyes and ears open to make sure the driver isn’t impaired in any way. Sometimes police officers interpret normal behavior as signs of impairment. When this happens, the police officer will often request the driver to get out of the car and perform a series of test designed to determine whether the driver is impaired or not. However, the interpretation of these tests isn’t objectively determined – the results depend on many nuanced, subjective factors.
One of the most common tests that police officers use to detect impairment is the Romberg balance test. If you’ve never taken a Romberg balance test before, it’s a good idea to review what’s involved in it before you get into a situation where you’re trying to hear the police officer’s instructions by the side of the road as traffic whizzes by you.
What does the Romberg balance test attempt to determine?
One of the main premises of the Romberg balance test effectiveness is that in order to balance effectively, at least two of these three things are necessary: vision, vestibular function (equilibrium, motion and spatial orientation provided by the inner ear), and proprioception (knowing how your limbs are oriented in space). When someone isn’t able to balance using two of these functions, it may be an indication of a neurological problem or of intoxication.
What happens during the Romberg balance test?
There isn’t a standardized method of administering the Romberg balance test, but the police officer will most likely ask you to stand with your feet together, head tilted back slightly and eyes closed. You’ll have to estimate when 30 seconds has passed and stay “stop” when you think it’s been that long.
Police officers who use the Romberg balance test have been trained to look for signs of intoxication during the test. These signs may include the amount and direction of swaying, eyelid and body tremors, how accurately you were able to estimate when 30 seconds has passed, muscle tone, sounds or statements made during the test, and your ability to follow the directions.
Already got charged with a DUI?
If you’ve been arrested for DUI recently, it’s essential that you find an attorney who will take your case seriously. Attorney Dan Chambers of the Chambers Law Firm specializes in DUI defense in Orange County and throughout Southern California. No matter what the circumstances of your DUI arrest were, he will formulate an effective strategy to make sure you don’t receive a DUI conviction, or at the very least, that you don’t receive the maximum penalties if the evidence is stacked against you and you are convicted.
All prospective DUI defense clients are entitled to a free initial consultation with Attorney Chambers. Schedule yours at your earliest convenience by:
Calling 714-760-4088
Emailing dchambers@clfca.com
Or by using the chat box below.
