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Maryland
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§ 21-902. Driving while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se, while impaired by alcohol, or while impaired by a drug, a combination of drugs, a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, or while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance. |
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(a) Driving while under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol per se.-
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(1) A person may not drive or attempt to drive any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
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(2) A person may not drive or attempt to drive any vehicle while the person is under the influence of alcohol per se.
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(3) A person may not violate paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection while transporting a minor.
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(b) Driving while impaired by alcohol.- |
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(1) A person may not drive or attempt to drive any vehicle while impaired by alcohol.
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(2) A person may not violate paragraph (1) of this subsection while transporting a minor.
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(c) Driving while impaired by drugs or drugs and alcohol.- |
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(1) A person may not drive or attempt to drive any vehicle while he is so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that he cannot drive a vehicle safely.
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(2) It is not a defense to any charge of violating this subsection that the person charged is or was entitled under the laws of this State to use the drug, combination of drugs, or combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, unless the person was unaware that the drug or combination would make the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle.
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(3) A person may not violate paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection while transporting a minor.
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(d) Driving while impaired by controlled dangerous substance.-
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(1) A person may not drive or attempt to drive any vehicle while the person is impaired by any controlled dangerous substance, as that term is defined in § 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article, if the person is not entitled to use the controlled dangerous substance under the laws of this State.
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(2) A person may not violate paragraph (1) of this subsection while transporting a minor.
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(e) Crime committed in another jurisdiction.- For purposes of the application of subsequent offender penalties under § 27-101 of this article, a conviction for a crime committed in another state or federal jurisdiction that, if committed in this State, would constitute a violation of subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section shall be considered a violation of subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section. |
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[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 11-902; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1980, ch. 144; 1981, ch. 242; 1988, ch. 562; 1993, ch. 308; 1995, ch. 498; 1996, ch. 652, § 2; 1997, ch. 451; 1999, ch. 347; 2001, chs. 4, 5, 483; 2002, ch. 213, § 6; 2003, chs. 243, 244, 246; 2004, ch. 335; 2005, chs. 482, 495, 496; 2006, chs. 219, 220.]
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§ 10-302. Chemical test for alcohol, drug or controlled dangerous substance content - Purpose. |
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In a prosecution for a violation of a law concerning a person who is driving or attempting to drive a vehicle in violation of § 16-113, § 16-813, or § 21-902 of the Transportation Article, or in violation of Title 2, Subtitle 5, § 2-209, or § 3-211 of the Criminal Law Article, a test of the person's breath or blood may be administered for the purpose of determining alcohol concentration and a test or tests of 1 specimen of the person's blood may be administered for the purpose of determining the drug or controlled dangerous substance content of the person's blood. |
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[An. Code 1957, art. 35, § 100; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 2, § 1; 1977, ch. 14, § 6; ch. 164, § 3; 1980, ch. 41; 1986, ch. 369; 1989, ch. 284; 1990, chs. 11, 413; 1996, ch. 427, § 2; 2000, ch. 629; 2002, ch. 213, § 6.]
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§ 16-205. Suspension or revocation on conviction of certain alcohol- or drug-related offenses. |
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(a) Revocation for violation of § 21-902 of this article.- The Administration may revoke the license of any person who:
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(1) Is convicted under § 21-902(a) or (d) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se, or while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance; or
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(2) Within a 3-year period, is convicted under § 21-902(b) or (c) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the person cannot drive a vehicle safely and who was previously convicted of any combination of two or more violations under:
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(i) § 21-902(a) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol per se;
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(ii) § 21-902(b) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol;
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(iii) § 21-902(c) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the person cannot drive a vehicle safely; or
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(iv) § 21-902(d) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance.
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(b) Revocation for violation of Title 2, Subtitle 5 of the Criminal Law Article.- The Administration:
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(1) Shall revoke the license of any person who has been convicted, under Title 2, Subtitle 5 of the Criminal Law Article, of homicide by a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, impaired by alcohol, or impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, or a controlled dangerous substance; and
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(2) May not issue a temporary license to drive for any person whose license has been revoked under item (1) of this subsection during an administrative appeal of the revocation.
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(c) 60-day suspension.- Subject to subsection (d-1) of this section, the Administration may suspend for not more than 60 days the license of any person who is convicted under § 21-902(b) or (c) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the person cannot drive a vehicle safely.
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(d) 120-day suspension.- Subject to subsection (d-1) of this section, the Administration may suspend for not more than 120 days the license of any person who, within a 3-year period, is convicted under § 21-902(b) or (c) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the person cannot drive a motor vehicle safely and who was previously convicted of a violation under:
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(1) § 21-902(a) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol per se;
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(2) § 21-902(b) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol;
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(3) § 21-902(c) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the person cannot drive a motor vehicle safely; or
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(4) § 21-902(d) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance.
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(d-1) Violations by person under 21 years of age.- |
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(1) Notwithstanding subsections (c) and (d) of this section, for a person who is under the age of 21 years on the date of a violation of § 21-902 of this article, and who is subsequently convicted of the violation under § 21-902 of this article, the Administration shall suspend the person's license to drive for:
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(i) 1 year for a first conviction of § 21-902 of this article; and
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(ii) 2 years for a second or subsequent conviction of § 21-902 of this article.
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(2) A suspension imposed under this subsection shall:
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(i) Be concurrent with any other suspension or revocation imposed by the Administration that arises out of the circumstances of the conviction for a violation of § 21-902 of this article described in this subsection; and
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(ii) Receive credit for any suspension period imposed under § 16-113(f) of this title or § 16-205.1 of this subtitle that arises out of the circumstances of the conviction for a violation of § 21-902 of this article described in this subsection.
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(3) (i) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, a person may request on the record that a hearing on a suspension under this subsection and any other hearing on another suspension or revocation under this section, § 16-206(c)(3) or § 16-213 of this subtitle, or § 16-404 of this title that arises out of the circumstances of the conviction for a violation of § 21-902 of this article described in this subsection be consolidated.
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(ii) A person who requests consolidation of hearings under this paragraph shall waive on the record each applicable notice of right to request a hearing required under Title 12, Subtitle 1 or 2 of this Article or Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article that applies to the other suspensions or revocations arising out of the same circumstances.
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(iii) A hearing under this paragraph may not be postponed at the request of the person who requests consolidation of hearings under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph due to a consolidation of the hearings.
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(iv) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the administration shall consolidate the hearings described in this paragraph unless the Administrative law judge finds in writing that good cause exists not to consolidate the hearings.
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(e) 1-year suspension; hearing; notice.- |
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(1) In this subsection, "motor vehicle" does not include a commercial motor vehicle.
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(2) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the Administration shall suspend for 1 year the license of a person who is convicted of a violation of § 21-902(a) of this article more than once within a 5-year period.
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(3) On receiving a record of a conviction of a person for a violation of § 21-902(a) of this article more than once within a 5-year period, the Administration shall issue to the person a notice of suspension of the person's license that:
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(i) States that the person's license shall be suspended for 1 year; and
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(ii) Advises the person of the right to request a hearing under this paragraph.
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(4) After notice under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Administration shall suspend a person's license under this subsection if:
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(i) The person does not request a hearing; |
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(ii) After a hearing, the Administration finds that the person was convicted of more than one violation of § 21-902(a) of this article within a 5-year period; or
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(iii) The person fails to appear for a hearing requested by the person.
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(5) The Administration shall, within 90 days of the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, issue to the person a notice, unless this notice requirement was waived at a hearing described in paragraph (4) of this subsection, that:
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(i) States that the person shall maintain for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year, dating from the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, an ignition interlock system on each motor vehicle owned by the person;
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(ii) States that the Administration shall impose a restriction on the person's license that prohibits the person from driving a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year, dating from the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension; and
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(iii) Advises the person of the right to request a hearing under this paragraph.
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(6) After notice under paragraph (5) of this subsection, or a waiver of notice, the Administration shall order a person to maintain for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year, dating from the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, an ignition interlock system on each motor vehicle owned by the person and impose a license restriction that prohibits the person from driving a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system if:
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(i) The person does not request a hearing;
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(ii) The Administration finds at a hearing that the person owns one or more motor vehicles and that no financial hardship, as described in paragraphs (7) and (8) of this subsection, will be created by requiring the person to maintain an ignition interlock system on each motor vehicle owned by the person; or
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(iii) The person fails to appear for a hearing requested by the person.
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(7) If the Administration finds at a hearing that maintenance of an ignition interlock system on a motor vehicle owned by the person creates a financial hardship on the person, the family of the person, or a co-owner of the motor vehicle, the Administration:
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(i) Shall impose a restriction on the license of the person for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year, dating from the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, that prohibits the person from driving any motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system; and
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(ii) May not require the person to maintain an ignition interlock system on any motor vehicle to which the financial hardship applies.
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(8) An exemption under paragraph (7)(ii) of this subsection applies only under circumstances that:
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(i) Are specific to the person's motor vehicle; and
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(ii) Meet criteria contained in regulations that shall be adopted by the Administration.
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(9) If a person requests a hearing and the Administration finds that the person does not own a motor vehicle at the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, the Administration shall impose a restriction on the license of the person for not less than 3 months and not more than 1 year, dating from the expiration of the 1-year period of suspension, that prohibits the person from driving any motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.
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(10) Each notice and hearing under this subsection shall meet the requirements of Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article.
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(11) This subsection does not limit any provision of this article that allows or requires the Administration to:
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(i) Revoke or suspend a license of a person; or
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(ii) Prohibit a person from driving a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.
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(12) A suspension imposed under this subsection shall be concurrent with any other suspension or revocation imposed by the Administration that arises out of the circumstances of the conviction for a violation of § 21-902(a) of this article described in this subsection.
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(f) Modification upon participation in Ignition Interlock System Program.-
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(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Administration may modify any suspension under this section or any suspension under § 16-205.1 of this subtitle and issue a restrictive license to a licensee who participates in the Ignition Interlock System Program established under § 16-404.1 of this title.
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(2) The Administration may not modify a suspension and issue a restrictive license during a mandatory period of suspension described in subsection (e) of this section.
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(g) Administration to reinstate license after suspension.- When a suspension imposed under subsection (c), (d), (d-1), or (e) of this section or § 16-206(b) of this subtitle expires, the Administration immediately shall return the license or reinstate the privilege of the driver, unless the license or privilege has been refused, revoked, suspended, or canceled under any other provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law. |
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[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 6-205.2; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1981, ch. 242; 1989, ch. 284; 1994, ch. 521; 1996, ch. 652, § 2; 1997, ch. 261; 2000, ch. 61, § 6; ch. 666; 2001, chs. 3, 4, 5; 2002, ch. 110; ch. 213, § 6; 2006, chs. 219, 220.] |
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Driving while intoxicated known as DWI, DUI (driving under the influence) or OUI (operating under the influence) is a serious offense in Maryland. Losing your license to operate a vehicle in MD is just one of the penalties. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to handle your case. A lawyer who specializes in drunken driving cases will be able to defend your constitutional rights. The field sobriety tests, the breathalyzer or Alcotest blood alcohol content (BAC) readings may be flawed and could result in a not guilty verdict in court. Only an experienced DWI lawyer will know how these tests should be administered and whether they were performed according to the guidelines provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created a set of Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST). These three tests have to be administered and evaluated in a standardized manner to obtain accurate indicators of impairment. Most police officers fail to administer these tests correctly. Your DWI attorney may be able to challenge the validity of the stop and arrest by reading the report submitted by the police officer or trooper or by the testimony provided in court.
The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were developed from research sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA then developed a training regimen for law enforcement officers to provide a consistent way of evaluating the results from DWI suspects. Although police officers use a variety of tests when they pull someone over for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol, the three that are NHTSA accepted are:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
- Walk and Turn
- One Leg Stand
Other tests, like counting backwards or saying the alphabet from one letter to another have not been proven to be reliable indicators of being intoxicated or under the influence. Keep in mind that even the reliable tests must be administered correctly for them to be valid indicators of DWI.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Testing
The horizontal gaze nystagmus test checks if you have involuntary twitching of the eyeball. This occurs naturally as the eyes gaze at a right angle towards the side. When someone is under the influence of alcohol, nystagmus (twitching of the eyeballs) occurs at lesser angles. During this test, the officer will have the subject follow a pen or light with his eyes. The officer must observe the subject eyes. The three indicators that the officer looks for in each eye are:
- If the subject is smoothly following of the moving object with his/her eyes
- If the eye begins to jerk distinctly at the maximum range (right angle)
- If the angle of jerking begins within 45 degrees of center
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that if between both eyes, four or more indicators are present the subject is probably under the influence. This test is therefore allowed for the purpose of making a DWI/DUI arrest and requiring a breath test at the police station.
Walk & Turn and One Leg Stand Tests
The other two tests that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes are accurate predictors of DWI are the so called, “divided attention” tests. These tests can supposedly be done by most sober people. Although many police officers will tell you that they hear people say, “I can’t do that when I’m sober.” (By the way, this is not the wisest thing to say if you are a DWI suspect.) According to NHTSA, suspects cannot usually follow instructions and perform physical tests when they are impaired.
Walk & Turn
In the Walk & Turn test, the police officer will ask the DWI suspect to take nine steps placing the heel to the toe in a straight line. Someone suspected of DWI should follow instructions carefully for this test. The seven indicators of failure in the walk and turn are:
- Failure to maintain balance while listening to instructions
- Starting before the instructions are completely stated
- Stopping while walking to regain balance
- Lack of heel to toe touching
- Using arms to regain or maintain balance
- Loss of balance while turning
- Taking an incorrect number of steps
NHTSA research indicates that the majority of DUI suspects who fail two or more of the above items are operating under the influence. You will be arrested and charged with DUI/DWI and required to provide a breath sample.
One Leg Stand
The one leg stand test requires the DWI suspect to stand with one foot approximately six inches off the ground and count aloud starting with one thousand and increasing by one (one thousand-one, one thousand-two, one thousand three, etc…) until told to lower the foot by the police officer. The officer is required to time the subject for 30 seconds. The four indicators of DWI impairment are:
- Swaying while balancing
- Using arms to balance
- Hopping to maintain balance
- Placing the foot down
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