What is the minimum number of clues required to indicate impairment on the Walk and Turn test?

In the Walk and Turn test, a minimum of two clues indicating impairment must be observed for the results to suggest that a subject is likely impaired. These clues are specific behaviors that law enforcement officers are trained to look for during the test, which assesses a person’s ability to divide attention between physical and mental tasks.

The clues include actions such as not maintaining a straight line, taking an incorrect number of steps, or failing to turn properly. Analyzing these behaviors helps officers evaluate motor function and cognitive ability, which are often compromised by intoxication.

While one clue may suggest some level of impairment, it does not provide a strong enough basis for an arrest or conclusion about impairment. By establishing a threshold of two clues, the test helps to ensure a more accurate and reliable assessment of a subject’s fitness to operate a vehicle, supporting the court's requirements for evidence in DUI cases.

Understanding this criterion is critical for law enforcement professionals to ensure consistency in their evaluations during sobriety tests and to maintain a standard that helps uphold justice and public safety.