Backwards Count | DUI Field Sobriety Tests

Posted on November 10, 2007
Filed Under DUI

The Backwards Count field sobriety test is not a standardized field sobriety test. However, a few law enforcement agencies still use this field sobriety test when conducting a DUI investigation.

The investigating police officer will request the DUI suspect to stand with their feet together and with their arms at their sides. The police officer will instruct the DUI suspect not to start the test until the police officer states. “Begin.” The DUI suspect is then told to count backwards from 53 to 36.

The police officer is looking for any missed numbers, repeated numbers, or failure to stop at the correct number. The police officer will also note if the DUI suspect produces any sway while performing the Backwards Count.

In the State of Washington the field sobriety tests are strictly voluntary. They are used by police officers to gather evidence during a DUI investigation. Any competent attorney would instruct their client to decline participation in these tests in any situation.

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