Massachusetts DWI DUI OUI Field Sobriety Test Police Training Manual

3. DIVIDED ATTENTION

It is important to understand the effects of alcohol are exhibited in driving so that the significance of visual cues will be recognized. Driving is a complex task involving a number of subtasks, many of which occur simultaneously. These include:

• steering;

• controlling the accelerator;

• signaling;

• controlling the brake pedal

• operating the clutch;

• operating to gearshift;

• observing other traffic;

• observing signal lights, stop signs & other traffic control devices; and

• making decisions (whether to stop, turn, speed up, slow down).

Safe driving demands the ability to divide attention among these various tasks. “Divided attention” simply means the ability to concentrate on two or more things at the same time. Under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, a driver’s ability to divide attention is impaired. As a result, the impaired driver tends to concentrate on only the most important or critical parts of driving and to disregard the less important parts, often creating unexpected or dangerous situations for other drivers. Two examples were particularly evident in the videotape segment Visual Detection of Driving While intoxicated. In one instance the driver signaled for left turn, but actually turned right. In the other, the driver stopped for a green light. In each case the driver was unable to divide attention.

• The first driver was concentrating on steering, looking for the Street where he wished to turn and slowing for the turn. The driver realized that a signal was required and actually operated the signal lever. But the driver didn’t have enough attention left to move the lever in the right direction. Therefore he signaled left, but turned right.

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