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The Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2011 commenced on 15th March
2012. The amendments empower police officers to conduct Preliminary Drug Tests,
including an Impairment Test, on drivers who are suspected of driving under the
influence of drugs. The Impairment Test (IT) provides a scientific, objective and
standardised basis for police officers to form an opinion whether a driver’s driving
ability is impaired while driving. The whole IT will be conducted in a police
station (see Annex) and the whole process will be video recorded.
The officer who administers the IT will demonstrate to the driver how the test
should be performed. An Impairment Test consists of five specific components, namely: (1) Eye Examinations The police officer would check the driver’s pupil size and check for
any nystagmus. The pupil may be constricted if the driver has taken any opiate while
the hallucinogen or stimulants would make the pupil dilated. (2) Modified Romberg Balance Test The Modified Romberg Balance Test is an indicator of a person’s internal clock and ability to balance.
The driver will be asked to stand up straight, listen to instructions, then tilt his head back slightly, close his eyes and count for a short period of time.
The driver will be asked to stand up straight with touching heels. Then, he will be required to walk taking heel to toe steps along a straight line and turn after a number of steps.
The test assesses whether a person is able to divide his attention between walking, balancing and processing instructions. The driver will be asked to stand up straight with hands down by the
side. The driver will be asked to raise one foot off the ground and count out a
specific period of time.
The test is to examine a person’s coordination, balance and ability to count out loud according to instructions. The driver will be asked to stand up straight with feet together
while holding out their hands in front of him, tilt his head, close his eyes and to
touch the tip of the nose under the instruction of the officer.
The test is of a person’s depth perception and ability to balance and process instructions. (Note: This piece of information is for reference only. People who are required to perform IT must follow the instruction given by police officer on the spot)
Annex: Designated Police Stations for the conducting of the Impairment Tests
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