摘要: |
The ultimate goal of this training manual is to increase deterrence of DWI violations, and thereby reduce the number of crashes, deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers. As a result of this training, students will become significantly better able to recognize and interpret evidence of DWI violations; administer and interpret standardized field sobriety tests; and describe DWI evidence clearly and convincingly in written reports and verbal testimony. The procedures outlined in this manual describe how the standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) are to be administered under ideal conditions. We recognize that the SFSTs will not always be administered under ideal conditions in the field, because such conditions will not always exist. Even when administered under less than ideal conditions, they will serve as useful indicators of impairment. Slight variations from the ideal, i.e., the inability to find a perfectly smooth surface at roadside, may have some affect on the evidentiary weight given to the results. However, this does not necessarily make the SFSTs invalid. Enforcement of alcohol impaired driving is a complex and demanding law enforcement responsibility sufficient to warrant a separate curriculum. This is not to deny or minimize the importance of detecting and arresting drivers impaired by drugs other than alcohol. Indeed, other materials (as referenced in this document) are available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to improve police officers' skills in detecting and apprehending drug impaired drivers. |