SFST Walk and Turn 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should the officer respond if the suspect begins walking before the instruction phase is complete during the Walk and Turn test?
- Stop the test and start over
- Score it as a clue and allow the suspect to continue (Correct answer)
- End the test and record a refusal
- Physically stop the suspect and restart
Correct answer: Score it as a clue and allow the suspect to continue
Starting before instructions are finished is scored as the 'starts too soon' clue, and the officer allows the test to continue while noting the clue.
Question 2: During the return walk of the Walk and Turn test, the suspect takes 10 steps instead of 9. Which clue applies?
- Steps off the line
- Stops while walking
- Incorrect number of steps (Correct answer)
- Improper turn
Correct answer: Incorrect number of steps
Taking any number of steps other than the instructed nine on either the outbound or return walk is recorded as 'incorrect number of steps.'
Question 3: What does it mean when a suspect 'misses heel-to-toe' during the Walk and Turn test?
- The suspect walks sideways
- There is a gap of more than half an inch between heel and toe (Correct answer)
- The suspect lifts both feet simultaneously
- The suspect crosses one foot over the other
Correct answer: There is a gap of more than half an inch between heel and toe
Missing heel-to-toe means the gap between the heel of the front foot and the toe of the back foot exceeds half an inch during any step.
Question 4: An officer notes that a suspect raised one arm slightly during the Walk and Turn but kept the other arm fully down. Is this scored as a clue?
- No, both arms must be raised to score the clue
- Yes, raising one arm more than 2 inches counts as the clue (Correct answer)
- No, only arm flailing counts
- Yes, but only if both arms are raised simultaneously
Correct answer: Yes, raising one arm more than 2 inches counts as the clue
Raising either arm (or both) more than 2 inches from the sides at any point during the walk scores as the 'raises arms to balance' clue.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT one of the eight standardized clues in the Walk and Turn test?
- Cannot keep balance during instructions
- Stops while walking
- Sways side to side while walking (Correct answer)
- Improper turn
Correct answer: Sways side to side while walking
Swaying side to side is not a distinct scored clue; the eight clues include losing balance during instructions, starts too soon, stops while walking, misses heel-to-toe, steps off the line, uses arms for balance, improper turn, and incorrect number of steps.
Question 6: For Walk and Turn scoring purposes, what is the minimum number of clues that must be observed to indicate possible impairment at 0.08% BAC?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
NHTSA standards indicate that two or more clues on the Walk and Turn test suggest the subject's BAC is likely at or above 0.08%.
Question 7: Why must the officer demonstrate the Walk and Turn test in addition to giving verbal instructions?
- State law requires physical demonstration for all SFSTs
- Demonstration removes language barriers and ensures the suspect understands the task (Correct answer)
- The officer must verify the surface is safe by walking it first
- Demonstration is only required for non-English speakers
Correct answer: Demonstration removes language barriers and ensures the suspect understands the task
A physical demonstration clarifies expectations for all suspects regardless of language or hearing ability, improving the validity and fairness of the test.
SFST Walk and Turn 3
How should the officer respond if the suspect begins walking before the instruction phase is complete during the Walk and Turn test?