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

[ModernDiogenes]

Probably over a couple of hundred of them, but not from the recipients side of that equation.

 

[rahl]

About 15 years or so ago I volunteered to participate in a training exercise at the Ohio state patrol academy in Columbus Ohio. They had officers from various precincts there training in field sobriety tests. There were about 20 of us volunteering. Basically, you show up with a designated driver and in a co trolled environment, they get you absolutely shit faced. You can drink liquor, beer, wine etc. They also feed you. After about 4 hours of drinking, they administer a breathalyzer so you can see just how intoxicated you are. They then took us up to the training area and each cop would take turns going around different stations in the area administering the field tests. After about 2 hours you would feel fine and thought you were passing with flying colors. The whole test process was about 2 hours. Once done, before you left they administered another breathalyzer just to show you that even though you might feel fine and sober, you were still WELL over the legal limit. It was an interesting experience.

 

[tharock220]

Always say no to field sobriety tests. Don't blow. Don't give them police anything that can be used to convict you.

Unless you're sober of course, and if you're driving you should be.

 

[coyote505]

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.

I understand that their own training manuals say the balance tests are invalid for drivers over 55.

 

[OlNate]

No, but after seeing this I think I'd like to give it a try... lol

 

[maxparrish]

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.

Vehicle inspections and other safety requirements are mostly determined by each state, save for the overall federal laws regarding seat belts and other preinstalled safety and anti-pollution devices.

Oklahoma requires (or at least used to) annual or "safety checks" of brakes, headlights etc. I am told California experimented with that for a while and found it useless and wisely canceled it. Oklahoma may have also canceled theirs.

In California there is a pollution check every two years, which is rather annoying. Without it, you cannot get your annual vehicle tags but no separate inspection sticker is provided.

As far as I know none of the individual states require all the stuff you listed, when your car eaves the seller's car lot it can remain as is.

One reason we don't have as many requirements and checks is due to American political culture: vehicles are equally protected as a private space and even many liberal Americans would resent being required to buy devices for their own "good", or stopped and inspected without a warrant or reasonable cause. Much of what you speak of might be considred a form of nanny state pettiness, intruding on personal choice because the state thinks a citizen requires it "for thier own good".

I've always said the ideal world would be to adopt the "freeist" attitude of each US state or European country and combine it into one. Europe, or at least the UK, for example abides by the common law principle that anyone is free to traverse open land as a "right to travel", as opposed to the US fetish of "no trespassing" signs on otherwise vacant and open space.

 

[Ganondagan]

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.

I live in New York State and yes we have a mandatory annual vehicle inspection at a certified inspection station.

 

[donhughesmusic]

Yep. They saw my friend stumbling and pissing between 2 cars, then stopped us as we were leaving the parking lot. I was driving and hadn't had a single drink. My friend had my car reeking of alcohol. They put me through the ringer, then blew a .00