Did you ever have to participate in a so-called "standardized field sobriety test" ?

[Tender Branson]

No, they are not used here in Europe.

In about 20 years since I have my driving license now, I have only been stopped one time by police here in rural Austria. And they just performed a routine traffic stop and checked if my car is OK and if my safety/emergency kit is in my trunk (which every driver needs to have).

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

I guess a safety vest/emergency kit in your car is not mandatory in the US ?

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

I've always had some kind of safety vest because I used to be part of the news media, also emergency flashlights, flares, tools, two way radios, etc.
I got stopped for DUI because my van's front end was garbage and it was wandering in the lanes.
Cop was actually irritated that I was driving it in that condition....can't say I blamed him.
But I am not a drinker and I agree it must have looked that way.

What can I say, I was rather new in the business and spending my dough on camera gear first, but I put in new ball joints and bushings and the van stopped acting drunk.

 

[Tender Branson]

These things must be in every Austrian car - by law:

First aid kit:

Warning vest + Warning sign for the road + fire extinguisher:

 

[phoenix2020]

I have not, I do not drink and drive. In this world of ride-sharing on demand, I can easily call an Uber or Lyft and have a ride ready to go in a few minutes. It’s so easy.

I don’t think most Americans carry safety related items in their cars and it isn’t required. All of our cars are well equipped however with roadside safety kit, first aid kit, glass breaker, emergency water and blankets and fire extinguisher. I also have a portable battery + compressor In each car.

The biggest irritant is where to keep this stuff so it’s out of sight (aka not stolen) but still accessible. The Tesla frunks are kind of perfect for this but I worry about accessibility if power is lost. In other cars, I usually stuff it all in the wheel well but it doesn’t always fit cleanly.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

No, they are not used here in Europe.

In about 20 years since I have my driving license now, I have only been stopped one time by police here in rural Austria. And they just performed a routine traffic stop and checked if my car is OK and if my safety/emergency kit is in my trunk (which every driver needs to have).

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

Not sure participate is the right word. That's usually something you want to do. But yes I have.

I guess a safety vest/emergency kit in your car is not mandatory in the US ?

Hell, they don't care if parts are falling off here. Certainly don't care about an emergency kit.

 

[Taylor]

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

Portables are typically not accurate enough to hold up in court here. So they do the FST to determine whether to go down to the station and use the more accurate version. By that time, they have two bits of evidence to support their case (or not).

 

[Tender Branson]

Are annual car inspections in a garage mandatory in the US, like they are here ?

Austria​

Austrian decal, inspection due July 2004

In Austria, all vehicles must undergo a "Wiederkehrende Begutachtung nach § 57a KFG" (recurring inspection under section 57a of the motor vehicle statute). A decal is placed on the vehicle's windscreen (usually the upper left-hand corner as seen from outside the vehicle), hence the inspection itself is colloquially referred to as "Pickerl" (literally: "little sticker"). The color of the decal is white for vehicles with a catalytic converter, green for vehicles without one and red for historic registered cars. Punch holes indicate the month and year that the next inspection is due; the month is based on the first registration of the car. The actual inspection can be carried out one month in advance of or up to four months after the date indicated on the decal; the vehicle remains road-legal during that time. Unless the inspection is overdue, as just described, the roadworthiness certificate is transferable, so that a potential new owner will get a new decal with the same date, but the corrected license plate number upon registration of the vehicle. However, the latest official inspection report has to be presented for this purpose to the authority issuing the new registration documents and license plates.

The first inspection of a passenger car is required after three years; another one two years later; and thereafter passenger cars must pass the official inspection annually to remain road-legal. Historic registered cars have an inspection period of two years. Heavy trucks and motorcycles must undergo annual inspections from the very first year. Inspections are carried out by licensed garages and by Austria's two major automobile clubs. The Austrian motor vehicle inspection covers both vehicle safety standards and emissions standards.

 

[Demon]

Nope. The one time I was stopped because the cops saw someone drinking in my car, the cops just poured the beer out and sent us on our way. That was when we were teenagers.

 

[Demon]

Are annual car inspections in a garage mandatory in the US, like they are here ?

Austria​

Austrian decal, inspection due July 2004

In Austria, all vehicles must undergo a "Wiederkehrende Begutachtung nach § 57a KFG" (recurring inspection under section 57a of the motor vehicle statute). A decal is placed on the vehicle's windscreen (usually the upper left-hand corner as seen from outside the vehicle), hence the inspection itself is colloquially referred to as "Pickerl" (literally: "little sticker"). The color of the decal is white for vehicles with a catalytic converter, green for vehicles without one and red for historic registered cars. Punch holes indicate the month and year that the next inspection is due; the month is based on the first registration of the car. The actual inspection can be carried out one month in advance of or up to four months after the date indicated on the decal; the vehicle remains road-legal during that time. Unless the inspection is overdue, as just described, the roadworthiness certificate is transferable, so that a potential new owner will get a new decal with the same date, but the corrected license plate number upon registration of the vehicle. However, the latest official inspection report has to be presented for this purpose to the authority issuing the new registration documents and license plates.

The first inspection of a passenger car is required after three years; another one two years later; and thereafter passenger cars must pass the official inspection annually to remain road-legal. Historic registered cars have an inspection period of two years. Heavy trucks and motorcycles must undergo annual inspections from the very first year. Inspections are carried out by licensed garages and by Austria's two major automobile clubs. The Austrian motor vehicle inspection covers both vehicle safety standards and emissions standards.

Not in my state, at least. We used to have them, but now all we have are emissions tests.

 

[phoenix2020]

Are annual car inspections in a garage mandatory in the US, like they are here ?

Austria​

Austrian decal, inspection due July 2004

In Austria, all vehicles must undergo a "Wiederkehrende Begutachtung nach § 57a KFG" (recurring inspection under section 57a of the motor vehicle statute). A decal is placed on the vehicle's windscreen (usually the upper left-hand corner as seen from outside the vehicle), hence the inspection itself is colloquially referred to as "Pickerl" (literally: "little sticker"). The color of the decal is white for vehicles with a catalytic converter, green for vehicles without one and red for historic registered cars. Punch holes indicate the month and year that the next inspection is due; the month is based on the first registration of the car. The actual inspection can be carried out one month in advance of or up to four months after the date indicated on the decal; the vehicle remains road-legal during that time. Unless the inspection is overdue, as just described, the roadworthiness certificate is transferable, so that a potential new owner will get a new decal with the same date, but the corrected license plate number upon registration of the vehicle. However, the latest official inspection report has to be presented for this purpose to the authority issuing the new registration documents and license plates.

The first inspection of a passenger car is required after three years; another one two years later; and thereafter passenger cars must pass the official inspection annually to remain road-legal. Historic registered cars have an inspection period of two years. Heavy trucks and motorcycles must undergo annual inspections from the very first year. Inspections are carried out by licensed garages and by Austria's two major automobile clubs. The Austrian motor vehicle inspection covers both vehicle safety standards and emissions standards.

In the US it depends on the state. Some states have mandatory and sometimes more comprehensive inspections. Other states have nothing at all. It also depends on the age and class of the vehicle.

 

[noonereal]

No, they are not used here in Europe.

In about 20 years since I have my driving license now, I have only been stopped one time by police here in rural Austria. And they just performed a routine traffic stop and checked if my car is OK and if my safety/emergency kit is in my trunk (which every driver needs to have).

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

I guess a safety vest/emergency kit in your car is not mandatory in the US ?

Both times I was drunk. Both times they let me go.

 

[Integrityrespec]

I have not, I do not drink and drive. In this world of ride-sharing on demand, I can easily call an Uber or Lyft and have a ride ready to go in a few minutes. It’s so easy.

I don’t think most Americans carry safety related items in their cars and it isn’t required. All of our cars are well equipped however with roadside safety kit, first aid kit, glass breaker, emergency water and blankets and fire extinguisher. I also have a portable battery + compressor In each car.

The biggest irritant is where to keep this stuff so it’s out of sight (aka not stolen) but still accessible. The Tesla frunks are kind of perfect for this but I worry about accessibility if power is lost. In other cars, I usually stuff it all in the wheel well but it doesn’t always fit cleanly.

I admit I don't think many do. I have a few things but far from the pic above. Flashlights, a few tools, jumper cables, tire sealant and inflator, electric air pump, blanket, usually a extra jacket in winter.
It would be an excellent mandate by Congress to make every automaker include a basic kit with each auto they sale. Wouldn't add much to the cost.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Nope. The one time I was stopped because the cops saw someone drinking in my car, the cops just poured the beer out and sent us on our way. That was when we were teenagers.

Reminds me of a buddy long ago that 'always had the luck...'Was topping a hill and tipping an Ale8 soda bottle that looked like a beer. Cop passing saw and pulled him over. All was good there.

But got popped for the weed the car reeked of.

 

[Chomsky]

I've always had some kind of safety vest because I used to be part of the news media, also emergency flashlights, flares, tools, two way radios, etc.
I got stopped for DUI because my van's front end was garbage and it was wandering in the lanes.
Cop was actually irritated that I was driving it in that condition....can't say I blamed him.
But I am not a drinker and I agree it must have looked that way.

What can I say, I was rather new in the business and spending my dough on camera gear first, but I put in new ball joints and bushings and the van stopped acting drunk.

I can't quite explain it, but you seem familiar to me!

 

[Lisa]

I was trying to take off my coat and drive at the same time and the cop pulled me over for weaving. I don't drink, so it lasted about 5 minutes before the cop told me to leave.

 

[Demon]

Reminds me of a buddy long ago that 'always had the luck...'Was topping a hill and tipping an Ale8 soda bottle that looked like a beer. Cop passing saw and pulled him over. All was good there.

But got popped for the weed the car reeked of.

That sucks, lol. It didn't hurt to be young and female, but I'm glad I wasn't smelling like beer when I got pulled over. They might not have been so easy on me then.

 

[gdgyva]

I was stopped on suspicion of DUI about 8-9 years ago.
I refused the roadside sobriety check, and instead told the officers that i would comply with a breathalyzer or a blood test, their choice. There was no breathalyzers allowed in that county apparently....so we argued for a few minutes and i wouldnt waver. I told them i was not drunk, nor even legally under the influence....i had had two 12 ounce beers with a steak dinner about 90 mins prior to the stop. At my height and weight, i know i would barely register any BAC on the blood test.
I have inner ear issues, along with other medical issues and the roadside tests are not meant to be passed by people with certain medical conditions. I told them if they were sure i was under the influence, arrest me, and lets get a blood test, but i also warned them that if it came back clean, i was going to sue them and their department.
Their sergeant arrived about 20 minutes after initial stop, and i was let go.

If you are overweight, have medical issues, especially with balance, do NOT submit to roadside sobriety tests. Make them do the breathalyzer or blood tests.

 

[Allan]

Nope. The one time I was stopped because the cops saw someone drinking in my car, the cops just poured the beer out and sent us on our way. That was when we were teenagers.

I got stopped for that in rural Manitoba when I was 16. The RCMP looked in my trunk and made me pour out our whole weekend's supply of beer

 

[Rexedgar]

@Tender Branson

You have one of these in the car, as well?

 

[Demon]

I got stopped for that in rural Manitoba when I was 16. The RCMP looked in my trunk and made me pour out our whole weekend's supply of beer

Ouch!

 

[multivita-man]

Nope. The one time I was stopped because the cops saw someone drinking in my car, the cops just poured the beer out and sent us on our way. That was when we were teenagers.

Yeah, he an encounter or two like that in my wayward late-teens.

 

[multivita-man]

No, they are not used here in Europe.

In about 20 years since I have my driving license now, I have only been stopped one time by police here in rural Austria. And they just performed a routine traffic stop and checked if my car is OK and if my safety/emergency kit is in my trunk (which every driver needs to have).

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

I guess a safety vest/emergency kit in your car is not mandatory in the US ?

One time, in my wayward late teens, I got pulled over on NYE. Was pissed because I had planned to pace myself that night and took a couple of friends with me to a classmate's house across town. We get there and then after downing a beer or two, one of 'em is like, Oh, hey, I can't stay too long because my dad wants me home by 11 and he'll kick my ass if I'm not. I actually felt bad for him because it did seem like he came from a really dysfunctional, messed-up family, so I buckled and took him back after downing a couple of beers. Initially, though, my plan was to down 1-2 and then stop and let it wear off.

So I drive them back and in my rear view mirror, I see headlights coming closer to me. It was dark and I couldn't see well, but was annoyed that someone was apparently tailing me. So naturally, I pulled away, thinking he'd just eventually go around me. No sooner did that thought pop out my head than I saw the heart-freezing sight of blue and right lights. That's it. Here we go. I'm ****ed. I'm gonna have to call my parents to get my dad's car back and my ass is going to spend quality time in the local jail for a few hours. I figured my goose was cooked at this point and just figured I'd cooperate as much as possible.

As it turns out, that might have been what spared me. Sheriff's deputy and I started talking in his car.

He first noticed my dad's insurance cards were expired. Your daddy's insurance expired. I have to write that up.

He then asked what does your daddy do? I told him he was a doctor. He nodded a bit.

He then asked, you had anything to drink tonight? "Yes, sir," I replied.

How much? "Two beers, sir," I told him. He nodded.

Yeah, I figured you had, he remarked.

He then said, well, tell you what, I could cite you for doin' 72 in a 55 mph, but that would be really expensive. We'll call it 67 mph. You've been cooperative and you don't seem drunk, but I could still obviously bring you in for that. My advice is don't push it. I'd suggest you slow your ass down and go straight home and don't have another drop of alcohol, 'cause after midnight, we're gonna be all over the place.

I don't know how many yessirs I said, but I'm sure it was a lot - and a lot of furious nodding.

 

[JMR]

Are annual car inspections in a garage mandatory in the US, like they are here ?

Austria​

Austrian decal, inspection due July 2004

In Austria, all vehicles must undergo a "Wiederkehrende Begutachtung nach § 57a KFG" (recurring inspection under section 57a of the motor vehicle statute). A decal is placed on the vehicle's windscreen (usually the upper left-hand corner as seen from outside the vehicle), hence the inspection itself is colloquially referred to as "Pickerl" (literally: "little sticker"). The color of the decal is white for vehicles with a catalytic converter, green for vehicles without one and red for historic registered cars. Punch holes indicate the month and year that the next inspection is due; the month is based on the first registration of the car. The actual inspection can be carried out one month in advance of or up to four months after the date indicated on the decal; the vehicle remains road-legal during that time. Unless the inspection is overdue, as just described, the roadworthiness certificate is transferable, so that a potential new owner will get a new decal with the same date, but the corrected license plate number upon registration of the vehicle. However, the latest official inspection report has to be presented for this purpose to the authority issuing the new registration documents and license plates.

The first inspection of a passenger car is required after three years; another one two years later; and thereafter passenger cars must pass the official inspection annually to remain road-legal. Historic registered cars have an inspection period of two years. Heavy trucks and motorcycles must undergo annual inspections from the very first year. Inspections are carried out by licensed garages and by Austria's two major automobile clubs. The Austrian motor vehicle inspection covers both vehicle safety standards and emissions standards.

That's a state by state thing in the US. My state requires them, and you must exhibit the decal on your windshield.

 

[bomberfox]

Ive never been stopped by cops in the first place.

 

[Jason Warfield]

No, they are not used here in Europe.

In about 20 years since I have my driving license now, I have only been stopped one time by police here in rural Austria. And they just performed a routine traffic stop and checked if my car is OK and if my safety/emergency kit is in my trunk (which every driver needs to have).

Police here just let you blow into the breathalyzer, if they suspect you are drunk (or on drugs, they take you to hospital for a blood draw).

I guess a safety vest/emergency kit in your car is not mandatory in the US ?

No, not mandatory. But my parents gave me a kit when I first started driving.

In the US, each state has different standards for cars to be allowed on their roads. Meaning, if you live here in the state of Maryland, in order to have state license plates from Maryland on your car, your car has to be able to pass inspections. But if you live in a different state and are just visiting or passing through, you don't need to worry about the state's rules.

I believe all states require that you are insured to drive. You must have a license plate from the state you live in to drive anywhere in the US. If you come to the US and bring your car with you and it is under 25 years old, it has to pass a federal inspection. The plate that you have on the car can be used as the plate you drive with in the US as long as it is reported and registered and you have insurance and have the license to drive.

I've been pulled over for suspicion of driving drunk, but I was just speeding and hadn't been drinking so got the speeding ticket. The other couple of times was when I was driving through an impromptu DUI checkpoint: I hadn't been drinking so passed the test both times.

Just as a FYI, should you ever be driving in Maryland, the police are not tolerant of drunk drivers. It is very rare that someone doesn't get arrested when pulled over and fail the test. Our state has a law on the books that if you are in your car drunk, even passed out...you can still get into trouble if your keys are in the ignition. And no, the car does not have to be running. Just keys in the ignition.