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How is a driver tested for alcohol intoxication? If a driver is suspected of breastfeeding, how to conduct a Schulte test during a medical examination

How is a driver tested for alcohol intoxication? If a driver is suspected of breastfeeding, how to conduct a Schulte test during a medical examination

According to the law, a medical examination of drivers is the right of traffic police officers who suspect a person behind the wheel of using alcohol or drugs. The procedure is complex and has many pitfalls, which law enforcement officials take advantage of when extorting bribes from motorists. In order not to lose your license because of a glass of kefir before a trip, you need to know the provisions of the current regulations.

A medical examination for alcohol intoxication must be carried out by a traffic police inspector if the following objective signs are present:

  • the characteristic smell of alcohol from a car enthusiast;
  • skin redness;
  • inappropriate behavior;
  • "braided" tongue;
  • staggering, uneven gait.

If the inspector observes any of these facts or all at the same time, he has the right to oblige the driver to stop and take a sobriety test. If a law enforcement officer does not have the necessary device with him, the motorist must proceed with him to the nearest traffic police station.

Differences between a simple check and a medical check

There are two types of sobriety:

  • Intoxication examination (OSAO).

The task of the traffic police representative is to determine whether the driver drank alcohol (not drugs) before getting behind the wheel. Employees use the only method - measuring the alcohol content in the exhaled air of a citizen (“blowing into a straw”).

  • Conducting a medical examination for intoxication (MOSO).

It is checked whether the driver has consumed alcohol or drugs. To answer this question, the citizen must be taken to a licensed medical institution, where doctors will not limit themselves to “blowing into a tube”, but will take a urine test from the “suspect.” blood, will be sent for examination by narcologists. They carry out the Taschen test, Schulte test and other tests.

The procedure for conducting a medical examination for intoxication implies that the question of intoxication is raised after a routine test using a “tube”. There are three reasons for sending a citizen to a medical institution. This is the driver’s disagreement with the results of the MTPL, the traffic inspector’s confidence that the driver is drunk and the analysis is “lying”, the refusal of the motorist to “breathe into the tube.”

The procedure for carrying out CILUMV

If a traffic police officer, seeing a person driving, suspects that he is drunk, he initiates an alcohol test. The procedure includes the following steps:

  • The driver is suspended from driving.

The inspector stops the car and draws up a protocol on the suspension. The procedure is accompanied by a video recording or carried out in the presence of 2 witnesses.

  • The driver is asked to “blow into the tube.”

Whether to agree to this proposal is the good will of the car enthusiast. If he refuses, he will be sent to MOSO. There are no sanctions for a negative answer.

  • "Purge".

If the driver has agreed to the MTPL, he is asked to “blow into the tube.” Before the procedure, the inspector talks about the equipment used and the principle of the test. The process takes place in the presence of witnesses or is filmed. Based on the results, a medical examination report is drawn up.

  • Reading the results.

The inspector checks how much the device shows and enters the value into the text of the report. If it is less than or equal to 0.16 mg/liter, the driver is considered sober. He will be allowed to continue on his way unless the traffic police representative expresses disagreement with the results of the procedure.

If the value on the device exceeds the norm, the driver can agree with the readings, after which a protocol on administrative violation is drawn up. The case is sent to court with the prospect of further deprivation of rights. If a citizen objects, he can go to a medical facility for MOSO.

Whatever results the alcohol test gives, they are included in the text of the act. If the parties agree with the readings of the device, the issue is resolved on the spot; if not, the citizen is sent for further research.

Conducting MOSO

A protocol on referral for a medical examination is drawn up if the results of the compulsory motor vehicle accident did not satisfy any of the parties or the car owner exercised the right not to “blow into the tube.”

The following inspection procedure is provided:

  • A referral protocol for MOSO is drawn up.

Signs of intoxication and the values ​​on the tube test indicated in the text of the report are grounds for referring the driver for further examination.

Important! The rules of the examination are such that it can only be carried out in a licensed medical institution. The traffic police inspector does not have the right to take a urine test on the spot. In rural areas, the driver’s condition is determined by the paramedic on duty, or an employee at the drug dispensary.

  • A medical check is being carried out.

The driver arrives at a medical facility where a drug test is carried out. Doctors check the fact of alcohol and drug use, focusing not on signs of alcohol intoxication, but on research results. The motorist is required to take a blood test for alcohol and a urine test, a Taschen test and other tests are done.

The data of analyzes and tests is recorded in the text of the report, printed in 3 copies, one each for the medical structure, the law enforcement agency and the “suspect” himself.

Refusal to undergo an intoxication test is tantamount to voluntary deprivation of rights. The driver’s license will be taken away for the period that would be expected if the fact of using alcohol or drugs was discovered before the trip. If you are confident in your own sobriety, be sure to take the MOSO and get your copy of the act.

Errors when conducting MOSO

Practice shows that the inspection protocol is often drawn up with errors, the parties violate the procedure for conducting CILUMV and MOSO, and motorists do not know their own rights. The following common shortcomings exist:

  • Failure to comply with document preparation standards. The inspector may prepare an alcohol intoxication examination report with errors or refuse to write a report if the result of the “tube” demonstrates the motorist’s sobriety.
  • Incorrect interpretation of analysis results. When examined, the “tube” shows the vapor content in ppm, which is not equivalent to milligrams. The inspector takes advantage of the driver's inattention and gives him the result for excess, and then, taking advantage of the situation, extorts a bribe.

  • Failure to follow the instructions for the “tube”. Most devices that record “alcohol” vapors cannot be used at air humidity above 95%: the results are blurred.
  • Using a faulty device for which all documents are available. It is difficult to establish this fact, but it is possible. If, during a repeated examination carried out after a period of time, it turns out that the citizen is drunk, the “tube” is broken.
  • Involvement of unauthorized doctors for examination. To determine the fact of alcohol consumption, type narcotic drugs, specialists who have undergone special training and work at a medical institution that has a state license should be involved.

An independent examination for alcohol intoxication is a procedure that carries a potential risk of deprivation of a driver’s license. If you are confident in your own sobriety, do not be deceived: monitor the correctness of the inspector’s actions and do not agree to provocations.

Definition stability of attention and performance dynamics. Used to examine people of different ages.

Test Description

The subject is alternately offered five tables on which numbers from 1 to 25 are arranged in random order. The subject finds, shows and names the numbers in ascending order. The test is repeated with five different tables.

Test instructions

The subject is presented with the first table: “On this table, the numbers from 1 to 25 are not in order.” Then they close the table and continue: “Show and name all the numbers in order from 1 to 25. Try to do this as quickly as possible and without mistakes.” The table is opened and the stopwatch is turned on at the same time as the task begins. The second, third and subsequent tables are presented without any instructions.

Test material

Processing and interpretation of test results

The main indicator is the execution time, as well as the number of errors separately for each table. Based on the results of each table, a “fatigue curve” can be constructed, reflecting stability of attention and performance over time.

Using this test, you can also calculate such indicators as (by A.Yu.Kozyreva):

  • operating efficiency (ER),
  • degree of workability (VR),
  • mental stability (PU).

Efficiency(ER) is calculated by the formula:

ER = (T 1 + T 2 + T 3 + T 4 + T 5) / 5, Where

  • T i– time of working with the i-th table.

Estimation of ER (in seconds) is made taking into account the age of the subject.

Degree of workability(BP) is calculated by the formula:

BP= T 1 / ER

A result less than 1.0 is an indicator of good workability; accordingly, the higher this indicator is 1.0, the more preparation the subject needs for the main job.

Mental Stability(endurance) is calculated by the formula:

PU= T 4 / ER

A result indicator less than 1.0 indicates good mental stability; accordingly, the higher this indicator, the worse the test subject’s mental stability to perform tasks.

Sources

Concerning the approval of the Rules for medical examination for the state of intoxication of a driver and the registration of its results. This time we will continue this topic and tell you what an ordinary driver who is unreasonably accused by a traffic police inspector of taking it “on the chest” should know in order to correctly defend his rights.

No “truncated” examination!

It often happens that traffic police officers and doctors often do not conduct a medical examination of the driver in strict accordance with regulations, limiting themselves to carrying out a certain “truncated” procedure. Meanwhile in Guidelines“Medical examination to establish the fact of alcohol consumption and intoxication,” approved by order of the USSR Ministry of Health dated September 2, 1988. ь 06-14/33-14, to which the above-mentioned Resolution refers, states: “When carrying out a medical examination to establish the fact of alcohol consumption or intoxication, it should be borne in mind that the corresponding conclusion needs not only medical justification (medical criterion), but and in legal consideration (legal criterion)."

The above means that until a citizen’s guilt is proven, he is considered innocent of the act charged with him, in this case, driving a car while intoxicated.

The “truncated” examination procedure being carried out violates the rights of citizens and in itself cannot yet be evidence of a state of intoxication.

Clinical assessment is, therefore, the defining stage of medical examination to establish the fact of alcohol consumption and intoxication.

Basic examination techniques

Along with the study of the mental state, the most important place in the clinical examination of the driver being examined is the identification of disorders of the neuromotor system. A very characteristic sign of alcohol exposure is gait disturbance. When conducting the “Walking with fast turns” test, the subject is asked to take 5-6 steps in one direction, then quickly turn around its axis and take the same number of steps in the opposite direction.

It is also possible to establish violations of coordination during mild alcohol intoxication during the task of raising small item from the floor, with your eyes closed, touch the tip of your nose with your finger, bring the tips of your index fingers together with your eyes closed. Symptoms of intoxication include problems maintaining balance in the Romberg position and the appearance of nystagmus (involuntary movement of the eyes from side to side).

Eye movement studies reveal horizontal nystagmus while fixing the gaze in short leads. More sensitive is the Taschen test, which is performed as follows. The subject is asked, standing still, to make 5 revolutions around his own axis within 10 seconds. Then he is stopped and asked to fix his gaze on some object, which the doctor holds in front of his eyes at a distance of 25 cm. The duration of the nystagmus that appears is noted using a stopwatch. Typically, in a healthy individual, the duration of nystagmus does not exceed 10 seconds. In case of intoxication, this figure increases.

With a mild degree of intoxication, the predominant symptom is redness of the sclera of the eyes. An increase in heart rate above 100 beats per minute is also characteristic.

Read the protocol carefully

The medical examination report must contain detailed information about appearance the examinee, his behavior, emotional background, speech, vegetative-vascular reactions, state of the motor sphere. Therefore, in order to avoid getting into trouble, the examined driver, before signing the protocol, should carefully read the contents of the relevant columns of the protocol and make sure that all actions carried out by the doctor are reflected in the examination report and correspond to reality. If the doctor refuses to familiarize the person being examined with the contents of the report (protocol), the driver must make an entry about this in the report and sign. In this case, a re-examination by another doctor should be requested. But this must be made in writing. This entry must also be made if the detained driver believes that the examination was carried out biased or he does not agree with the doctor’s conclusion.

Is our Russian legislation provides liability not for drinking alcohol, but for driving while intoxicated, and this condition can appear at different concentrations of alcohol in the blood. Forensic medical practice is guided by the following criteria for establishing the degree of intoxication, based on the quantitative alcohol content in the blood of the subject in ppm (pure alcohol content per 100 grams): less than 0.1 - within the physiological norm; 0.1-0.2 - does not give functional changes, i.e. the person being examined is practically sober; 0.3-0.5 - insignificant influence of alcohol, a person may be sober, but may also have subclinical intoxication; 0.5-0.9 - mild degree of intoxication; 1-1.9 - moderate intoxication; 2-2.9 - severe degree of intoxication; 3-5 ppm - acute poisoning, alcoholic coma.

If a clinical intoxication syndrome is detected and positive results of instrumental or chemical tests for alcohol in the driver’s exhaled air or biological fluids, the doctor makes a conclusion: alcohol intoxication. In this case, the degree of intoxication is not indicated, since in these cases liability occurs regardless of the degree of intoxication. However, the driver must remember that establishing the degree of intoxication may affect the extent of his responsibility.

Laboratory tests needed

If the driver believes that he is sober or has only residual effects, then he must insist on laboratory tests of exhaled air at intervals of 20-30 minutes and testing for alcohol in urine or saliva. At the same time, he must remember that blood is taken for alcohol tests in exceptional cases (severe injuries, poisoning, etc.). Doctors may offer to take blood tests for a fee at the request of the person being examined. In most cases, when conducting a medical examination, doctors are limited to only one chemical method of determining the presence of alcohol in exhaled air using the Rappoport test.

How it's done? 2 ml of distilled water is poured into two clean, dry test tubes. Then a pipette is lowered into one of them, and the subject passes approximately 2 liters of exhaled air through it. The air is purged for 20-30 seconds. Passing through water, the alcohol contained in the exhaled air dissolves in it, and then its presence is determined using a chemical reaction. 20 drops of chemically pure concentrated sulfuric acid are poured into both test tubes and then one drop of a 0.5% freshly prepared solution of potassium permanganate.

The result of the study is assessed within 1-2 minutes from the moment the potassium permanganate solution is introduced into the tube. If within 2 minutes the solution does not change color in comparison with the control, there is no alcohol in the subject’s body, the subject is not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the study.

If the solution is completely or partially discolored, the sample is repeated after 15-20 minutes. Complete discoloration of the solution within 1-2 minutes upon repeated testing indicates the presence of alcohol in the exhaled air, which, if the research methodology is strictly followed, can confirm the fact that the subject has consumed alcoholic beverages. If, upon repeated testing, complete discoloration of the solution does not occur within 2 minutes, the test results are regarded as negative. A change in the color of the solution in the control tube indicates a violation of the test conditions (contaminated glassware, low-quality reagents) and refutes the results of the study.

Compliance with the described sequence of actions is mandatory. In case of violation of this procedure for determining alcohol, the subject must request a repeat test or reflect all violations in the protocol when signing it.

Examination - only in a medical institution

Considering that in the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 26, 2002. ь 930 states that the medical examination is carried out in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; persons who undergo such an examination need to know the contents of these documents.

It is also necessary to remember that, according to Art. 27.12 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, if there are sufficient grounds to believe that the person driving the vehicle is intoxicated, he is subject to referral for a medical examination for intoxication. Therefore, traffic police officers conducting an examination of the driver using a simple “sobriety control” indicator tube is unacceptable; these actions are contrary to the law and the driver has the right to refuse to breathe into the tube.

If the traffic police inspector considers that there are sufficient grounds to believe that the driver is intoxicated, then the inspector must remove the driver from driving the vehicle, but at the same time be sure to draw up an appropriate protocol, then be sure to draw up a protocol on sending the driver for a medical examination and provide copies of these documents. Only after carrying out these actions does he have the right to deliver the driver to a medical facility and, after a medical examination, draw up an administrative protocol on the offense, and not do the opposite, as often happens.

By the way, in the practice of many Kaliningrad narcologists, when conducting a Rappoport test, “crosses” are placed in the protocol. The presence of four crosses allegedly indicates an increased concentration of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air. I would like to note that this is purely amateur activity; this is not provided for by any regulatory departmental documents and cannot indicate the presence of a particular concentration of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air. This position of some unscrupulous doctors contradicts the very technology of conducting the test described above, since when conducting laboratory tests, only methods and devices approved by the Ministry of Health should be used. With their “crosses,” doctors mislead traffic police officers and judges, who are often not at all familiar with the methods of conducting laboratory tests.

Finally, I would like to give advice to all drivers. To avoid all those procedures that you read about here, drive a car only when sober.

For any questions you are interested in, please contact the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Rights of Motorists OSA at tel. 21-05-12.

Georgy Rumyantsev, Chairman of the Regional Organization for the Protection of Motorists' Rights OSA, "Kaliningrad Car Market", No. 7 dated 02/18/2003

Conclusion “The fact of alcohol consumption has been established, no signs of intoxication have been identified” issued if there is convincing evidence confirming the fact of alcohol consumption, but in the absence of a clear clinical picture of alcohol intoxication. This condition is characterized by hyperemia (redness) of the sclera, impaired coordination tests, a faint odor of alcohol or the smell of fumes from the mouth. The chemical test will be slightly positive.

With mild alcohol intoxication changes in mental activity are insignificant, there is an increase in vegetative-vascular reactions - skin hyperemia, increased sweating, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), increased blood pressure, rapid breathing, as well as nystagmus, dilated pupils, motor disturbances (changes in gait, staggering when walking with quick turns, instability in a simple and sensitized Romberg position, inaccuracy in performing precise movements and coordination tests, positive Taschen test), positive chemical reactions for alcohol.

With moderate alcohol intoxication more pronounced changes in mental activity are noted - incorrect assessment of the situation, inhibition or agitation, aggression, inappropriate statements, euphoria, drooling. Vegetative-vascular disorders manifest themselves in the form of hyperemia or, conversely, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, increased heart rate, breathing, fluctuations in blood pressure, and sweating. Dilation of the pupils, sluggish photoreaction, nystagmus, unsteadiness of gait, instability in the Romberg position, clear violations of coordination tests, decreased tendon reflexes, pain sensitivity, strong breath, positive chemical tests for ethyl alcohol are observed.


Your comments

#1 Andrey (-----.cnt.ru) 13:35 03/30/2008
I have this situation: in the evening I quarreled with my wife, went to the store and bought beer. Then he drank and went back. When I walked past the car, I noticed that it began to roll involuntarily. I got behind the wheel, but was unable to overcome the collision. A patrol passed by, they called the traffic cops, and they drew up a report on the management of the vehicle. in a state of alcohol intoxication. What should I do, I wasn’t driving a car. I explained everything to them, but they made it up anyway.
I refused the medical examination because... V in this case had nothing to do with the movement of the car. What do i do?

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Management. Methodology “Schulte Tables”

Scales: stability of attention, work efficiency, degree of workability, mental stability.


Test type: Verbal
Test Description
The subject is alternately offered five tables on which numbers from 1 to 25 are arranged in random order. Schulte tables are a set of numbers (from 1 to 25) arranged in random order in cells. The subject must show and name all the numbers in a given sequence (usually increasing from one to twenty-five). Five non-identical Schulte tables are offered in a row, in which the numbers are arranged in different orders. The psychologist records the time spent by the subject showing and naming the entire series of numbers in each table separately. The following indicators are noted: 1) exceeding the standard (40-50 s) time spent on indicating and naming a number of numbers in the tables; 2) dynamics of time indicators during the survey according to all five tables.
Purpose of the test

Definition stability of attention and performance dynamics. Used to examine people of different ages.

Material: 5 Schulte tables, stopwatch, pointer.

Test instructions
The subject is presented with the first table: “On this table, the numbers from 1 to 25 are not in order.” Then they close the table and continue: “Show and name all the numbers in order from 1 to 25. Try to do this as quickly as possible and without mistakes.” The table is opened and the stopwatch is turned on at the same time as the task begins. The second, third and subsequent tables are presented without any instructions.
Processing and interpretation of test results
Evaluation of results: Divide the total search time across all tables by 5.

The main indicator is the execution time, as well as the number of errors separately for each table. Based on the results of each table, a “fatigue curve” can be constructed, reflecting stability of attention and performance over time.

Using this test, you can also calculate such indicators as (by A.Yu.Kozyreva):


  • operating efficiency (ER),

  • degree of workability (VR),

  • mental stability (PU).
Efficiency(ER) is calculated by the formula:

ER = (T 1 + T 2 + T 3 + T 4 + T 5 ) / 5 , Where


  • Ti- time of work with the i-th one.
Estimation of ER (in seconds) is made taking into account the age of the subject.

The degree of workability (DR) is calculated by the formula:

BP= T 1 / ER

A result less than 1.0 is an indicator of good workability; accordingly, the higher this indicator is 1.0, the more preparation the subject needs for the main job.

Mental Stability(endurance) is calculated by the formula:

PU= T 4 / ER

A result indicator less than 1.0 indicates good mental stability; accordingly, the higher this indicator, the worse the test subject’s mental stability to perform tasks.

Based on the results of this test, the following characteristics of the subject’s attention are possible:

Attention is concentrated enough - if the subject spends time corresponding to the norm on each of the Schulte tables.

Attention is not concentrated enough - if the subject spends more time on each of the Schulte tables than the norm.

Attention is steady - if there are no significant time differences when counting the numbers in each of the four to five tables.

Attention is unstable - if there are significant fluctuations in the results according to the tables without a tendency to increase the time spent on each subsequent table.

Attention is exhausted - if there is a tendency to increase the time spent by the subject on each subsequent table.

Test material





In acute alcoholic intoxicated Margotta(Margotta) observed changes in the fundus of the eye.
For practical purposes it is recommended to use the valuable “flickering light” diagnostic test proposed by Bourdon; in this case, the flickering frequency of the light source is established, at which the subject still sees continuous light.

Violations functions vestibular apparatus under the influence of alcohol manifests itself in dizziness, ataxia and nystagmus. Alcoholic nystagmus has its own characteristics, and its establishment is an important diagnostic sign [Frenzel].

All clinical methods Diagnosis of alcohol intoxication are based mainly on subjective observations of the condition of the subjects, and in many respects these methods cannot be considered satisfactory. When conducting tests to establish alcoholic nystagmus, the will of the subject does not influence the result of the study. Determination of alcoholic nystagmus is considered a simple, reliable and objective method.

Threshold to start manifestations of alcoholic nystagmus observed at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.6-0.8%o. In some cases, its manifestation was observed at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2-0.30% [Plenkers, Stark].

Diagnostic value of the sign nystagmus is that it manifests itself in later intoxication as a residual phenomenon of former intoxication. This observation convincingly suggests that after the disappearance of alcohol from the blood and other organs, the phenomenon of disturbances in the body is still long time remain.
Technical carrying out tests. Nystagmus improved significantly with the use of “self-luminous” Frenzel glasses.

Methodology examinations to establish alcoholic nystagmus is as follows: the subject lies down on a table or couch. U healthy person and in persons who have not taken alcohol, there is no nystagmus in any position during the examination. At the height of alcohol intoxication, i.e. at initial period intoxication, when turning the head to the right, nystagmus is observed in the same direction. to the right. As alcohol intoxication weakens, the nystagmus becomes opposite, i.e., to the left. The border of this fracture is usually observed 5 hours after drinking alcohol.

B. Muller observed manifestations of nystagmus at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.22-0.47%o already 30 minutes after alcohol entered the body. In some cases, positive horizontal nystagmus can occur in practically sober or sober people following some kind of excitement, after a skull injury, or in a state of shock.

Taschen(Taschen) proposed to detect alcoholic nystagmus without the use of scarce glasses. Using the proposed method, he examined 570 intoxicated and 600 sober people and obtained good results. The technique he developed is applicable always and in any conditions. It consists of the following: the subject turns 5 times along the longitudinal axis for 10 seconds, after which he looks at the doctor’s index finger, located at eye level at a distance of 25 cm. In sober persons, a barely noticeable nystagmus is noted in the horizontal direction and disappears after 4-8 seconds At a blood alcohol concentration of 0.80-1.20%o, the amplitude of nystagmus becomes significant and its duration increases to 15 seconds or more; at a concentration of 1.20-2.00% o the nystagmus lasts 20-25 seconds, at 2.00% o and above it lasts about 30 seconds.

Nystagmus The author considers the duration of 9-14 seconds as light (+), 14-19 seconds as medium (+ +), and more than 20 seconds as heavy (+++), which approximately corresponds to the degree of intoxication.
The nystagmus that occurs after smoking tobacco is always vertical, short-term and with incorrect fixation.

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