Massachusetts DWI DUI OUI Field Sobriety Test Police Training Manual

3. Don’t Do It:

Phase One: There are no grounds for stopping that vehicle.

Phase Two: No, there isn’t enough evidence of DWI to justify administering field sobriety tests.

Phase Three: No, there is not sufficient probable cause to believe this driver has committed DWI.

OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY

In each phase of detection, you must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish “reasonable suspicion” necessary to proceed to the next step in the detection process. It is always your duty to carry out whatever tasks are appropriate, to make sure that all relevant evidence of DWI is brought to light. (See Exhibit 4-3).

EXHIBIT 4-3
DWI DETECTION

Answers to questions like these can aid you in DWI detection.

Phase One:

• What is the vehicle doing?

• Do I have grounds to stop the vehicle?

• How does the driver respond to my signal to stop?

• How does the driver handle the vehicle during the stopping sequence?

Phase Two:

• When I approach the vehicle, what do I see?

• When I talk with the driver, what do I hear, see and smell?

• How does the driver respond to my questions?

• Should I instruct the driver to exit the vehicle?

• How does the driver exit?

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