Massachusetts DWI DUI OUI Field Sobriety Test Police Training Manual

research identified 20 cues, each with an associated high probability that the driver exhibiting the cue is impaired. These cues and their associated probabilities are described in the following Special Section, Initial Visual DWI Detection Cues.

They also are discussed in Visual Detection of Driving While Intoxicated, a film sponsored by NHTSA to assist law enforcement officers to recognize DWI detection cues. This film is included in the training videotape.

COMMON SIGNS OF’ ALCOHOL INFLUENCE

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION

0.03%   
Slowed
Reactions

0.05
Increased
Risk
Taking

0.08
Impaired
Vision

0.10
Poor
Coordination

INITIAL VISUAL DWI DETECTION CUES

Following are 20 cues which police officers may use to detect nighttime impaired drivers. The cues were developed from interviews with a variety of law enforcement specialists in DWI detection; from a detailed analysis of more than 1,000 DWI arrest reports from different geographical regions; and from a field study in which cues observed in more than 600 patrol stops. These cues represent the most systematically developed method available for visually predicting whether a vehicle operated at night is being driven by a DWI driver or a sober driver.

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