Suspected drink driving in America

[stelladrinka]

Does anyone know why in America if you are suspected of drink driving the police get the suspect to perform a series of elaborate street-side tests that even a sober person could struggle with instead of simply breathalising them like anywhere else?

[rojash]

I think you watch too many old movies...

[stelladrinka]

Yeah whatever mate. I've seen it loads of times on these police reality shows on the TV, such as Cops with Cameras, Road Wars etc. So it does go on, an example is provided in the You Tube clip. So don't tell me it only happens in the films.
So anyone else out there know what they're talking about and have a sensible answer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vyTwZpym2Umk

Police Sobriety test

[Rollo]

The police do similar "tests" in the UK if they suspect a driver is unfit to drive through drugs, where they don't have a machine (breathalyser) to do the test.

[ummmm]

That really has to be a p!ss take.

[chas2008]

know exactly what you mean, seen it many a time on the reality cop programs, and i have often thought the same as you with all the technology available why rely on what seems such an out of date & dubious method.

[tabs2tabs]

rollo is right, they do it to see if they are on drink or drugs, if they fail the test then they get breathalysed etc

[denis567]

I think stelladrinka was a bit unfair with rojash. In the past I have had some very sensible and useful answers to my queries, from rojash

[stelladrinka]

Errr have you seen his response? He may be the fountain of knowledge on many a topic, however if all he can come up with is to claim I'm making it up when it is very clearly documented from many sources what I am asking, then I'd prefer it if he kept his opinions to himself. If that is being harsh, then so be it.

[ELVIS68]

I`m not sure if the American police carry the breathalysers that our police have so they do the roadside tests

But credit to the American police, when they come across some lunatic p!sshead/junkie who`s been caught the guns are out and they are locked up rather than a slap on the wrist they get here

[stelladrinka]

Rollo and Tabs, I appreciate what you are saying, however my point is this - if you are pulled over in the UK, France, Germany, Spain etc for suspected DUI then the first thing that will happen is you are asked to provide a breath sample to see whether you are over the drink-driving limit. Not asked to perform a series of ballet manouvres before this happens. All I wanted to know is if anyone knew, with all the technology available, is why it would appear in the USA, and maybe other countries too, why a suspect is asked to do these moves rather than a straight brealthalyser test. So does anyone know 'cos I'm none the wiser.???

[sigma]

In a word, no. If you're really interested why don't you write to the US embassy or a police force in America and ask them.If they respond then you could post their reply here and we would all be the wiser