| This
description of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test
posted by Florida DUI Lawyer
. *
Parks
& Braxton, your best resource for a Florida
DUI Lawyer, wants you to be well informed.
Here is a basic description of the Horizontal
gaze nystagmus test:
- Nystagmus
simply means an involuntary jerking of the eyeballs.
This jerking becomes more distinct and obvious
as the amount of alcohol increases in the subject's
bloodstream. Alcohol will enhance the nystagmus
in order to make it more readily noticeable.
If under the influence of an alcoholic beverage,
the subject is powerless to stop or control
it. For the most part, it is unconscious. The
subject is unaware that the nystagmus is happening,
but some individuals claim they can feel the
jerking occur.
- The
police officer is trained in the Standardized
Field Sobriety Testing Course to ideally utilize
a penlight at roadside to assist in the administration
and observation of nystagmus in the suspect's
eyes. This stimulus can be as simple as your
index finger or pen.
- Use
of a flashlight is not recommended due to the
probability of casting of shadows which will
make it more difficult to make a fair assessment
of the presence of nystagmus. Depending on the
location of the flashlight, it can also cause
an artificial blinding and/or cast shadows which
make the nystagmus more difficult to observe.
*
This material is for informational purposes only.
If you want to know how the SFST tests affect
you, please contact Florida
DUI Lawyers, Parks &
Braxton
|
