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Walk and Turn Test
The Walk and Turn Test is a test that has been in existence for many years. It has an instructions stage; and a walking stage.
In the Instructions stage you must stand with your feet in heel to toe position with your arms at your sides and listen to the instructions. The Instructions stage divides the subject’s attention between a balancing task and an information processing task.
In the Walking stage you take nine heel to toe steps, turn in a prescribed manor, and take nine heel to toe steps back while counting the steps out loud, while watching your feet. During the turn, the subject keeps his front foot on the line, turns in a prescribed manor, and uses the other foot to take several small steps to complete the turn. The walking stage divides the subject’s attention among a balancing task (walking heel to toe and turning); a small muscle control task (counting out loud); and a short-term memory task (recalling the number of steps and the turning instructions).
The Walk and Turn test is administered and interpreted in a standardized manor, i.e. the same way every time. Officers administering the Walk and Turn test observe your performance for eight clues:
- Can’t Balance During Instructions;
- Starts Too Soon;
- Stops While Walking;
- Doesn’t Touch Heel to Toe;
- Steps Off Line;
- Uses Arms to Balance;
- Loses Balance on Turn or Turns Incorrectly;
- Takes the Wrong Number of Steps.
Inability to complete the Walk and Turn test occurs when you step off the line three or more times; are in danger of falling; or you cannot perform the test.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that if you exhibit two or more of the clues, or cannot complete the test, you are likely to have a blood alcohol concentration above the allowable.
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