SFST Walk and Turn 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the Walk and Turn instruction stage, the suspect must maintain the heel-to-toe stance while the officer gives instructions for how long?
- Until they feel balanced
- Until the officer says 'begin' (Correct answer)
- For at least 5 seconds
- For exactly 30 seconds
Correct answer: Until the officer says 'begin'
The suspect must hold the heel-to-toe stance throughout the entire instruction phase until the officer gives the command to begin walking.
Question 2: Which clue is observed when a suspect takes more than the instructed number of steps on either leg during the Walk and Turn test?
- Incorrect number of steps (Correct answer)
- Stops while walking
- Loses balance during instructions
- Steps off the line
Correct answer: Incorrect number of steps
Taking more or fewer than the instructed nine steps on either the outbound or return walk is scored as an 'incorrect number of steps' clue.
Question 3: What is the primary reason the Walk and Turn test requires the suspect to look at their feet while walking?
- To prevent the suspect from running
- To divide attention between a physical and a mental task (Correct answer)
- To ensure the officer can see eye movement
- To check for signs of nystagmus
Correct answer: To divide attention between a physical and a mental task
Looking at the feet while walking divides attention between a cognitive task (counting) and a physical task (balance), exploiting the divided-attention demand of the test.
Question 4: A suspect turns correctly using small steps but uses their arms for balance during the pivot — how many clues does this represent?
- 0
- 1 (Correct answer)
- 2
- 3
Correct answer: 1
Raising arms more than 2 inches from the sides during the turn counts as one clue (raises arms to balance); the turn itself is correct.
Question 5: NHTSA research indicates that the Walk and Turn test has approximately what validated accuracy rate in detecting BAC at or above 0.08%?
- 58%
- 68%
- 79% (Correct answer)
- 91%
Correct answer: 79%
NHTSA validation studies show the Walk and Turn test correctly classifies approximately 79% of subjects with a BAC at or above 0.08%.
Question 6: Which condition would make a suspect a poor candidate for the Walk and Turn test according to NHTSA guidelines?
- Age under 65
- Weight over 50 pounds above normal (Correct answer)
- Height under 5 feet
- Wearing flat-soled shoes
Correct answer: Weight over 50 pounds above normal
NHTSA guidelines indicate that individuals 50 or more pounds overweight may have difficulty performing the WAT test, affecting reliability of results.
Question 7: When administering the Walk and Turn on a slight incline, what is the officer's best practice according to NHTSA?
- Proceed normally and note the incline in the report
- Use a designated flat surface whenever reasonably available (Correct answer)
- Skip the test entirely
- Add extra clues to compensate for the surface
Correct answer: Use a designated flat surface whenever reasonably available
NHTSA standards specify that the WAT should be administered on a reasonably dry, hard, level, non-slippery surface; if available, a flat surface should be used.
SFST Walk and Turn 2
During the Walk and Turn instruction stage, the suspect must maintain the heel-to-toe stance while the officer gives instructions for how long?