04.17.09
Know your Alphabet!
Officer use many techiniques to assist them in detecting impaired drivers. The most common of which are the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) popularized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The SFSTs are the HGN test, the 9-step walk and turn, and the 1-leg stand. While the accuracy of the SFSTs is certainly subject to debate, at least these methods have been scientifically studied to some degree. The same cannot be said for many of the homegrown methods commonly used by law enforcement.
Georgia law gives police officers wide latitude in the “tests” they can use to assist them in detecting impaired drivers. This has led to a wide range of homemade techniques from the logical to the wacky. There is no literature suggesting these custom field exams have any scientific validity, but there is certainly broad legal authority in this state for an officer to try them out. Compliance with an officer’s request to perform these tests remains purely voluntary in Georgia (a fact generally not disclosed by most officers).
The most common of these are the variations of the “alphabet” test. Many years ago, local City of Atlanta law enforcement decided asking a suspected driver to recite the alphabet was too easy. Officers began developing their own versions, ultimately to the point it seemed there was a contest among officers as to who could develop the silliest version. Over time, a few versions became the most popular in metro Atlanta:
* Say the alphabet without singing (it’s harder than it seems)
* Say the alphabet from C to Q
* Say the alphabet backwards from C to Q
Whoever came up with the C to Q backwards test was probably a bit of a sadist. If confronted with such a request, you may want to remind yourself that this is a completely voluntary request.
The regular C to Q test is a particularly clever divided attention exam. Like the SFSTs, it is intended to examine the ability to process multiple tasks and remember instructions: know and say the alphabet, remember to start at C, and most importanly, remember to stop at Q. Most drivers are not threatened by this exam so they do it voluntarily. However, there is a good chance that by the time one gets to “L, M, N, O”, he has completely forgotten the instruction to stop at Q. Many a sober driver has gotten caught up in a lengthy DUI investigation, and sometimes a DUI arrest, for forgetting to stop at Q.
What is to be learned by this? Above all else, remember that field exams are voluntary in Georgia. Beyond this, be sure to practice your alphabet. You never know when you will be called to recite it!
For your viewing pleasure, a truly difficult field exam:
K & B, llc
