Bad judgement can cause a bad night Published Aug. 31, 2006 By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- (Editor's note: This is the second in a DUI series.) Although Airman Doe didn't feel drunk, he didn't know if he was okay to drive or not. He asked one of the house owners if they could stay there for the night. "Yeah, you guys are more than welcome to crash here," the owner said. Airman Doe told Jane what the owner said. "I don't feel good; I just want to go home to my own bed. I'll find a ride with someone else," Jane said. Well, Airman Doe did not want Jane to go home with anyone else. And he definitely didn't want her to think he was lame. "Oh, okay. I'll take you home," Airman Doe said. They got in his car and left. Airman Doe noticed he was having trouble concentrating on the road. Jane was passed out next to him and he was getting sleepier by the minute. At least we both live in the dorms, he thought. Airman Doe was fighting to keep his eyes open. Airman Doe's eyes shot open when he heard the gravel. I need to stay awake, he thought. He rolled down his windows and turned up the radio. Jane moved a little, but didn't wake up. The base was in sight and Airman Doe started to relax. He tried to wake Jane up to get her ID card ready, but she wasn't complying. Airman Doe pulled up to the gate and couldn't find his ID card either. He fumbled around through his wallet and finally found it. The guard asked for Jane's ID and Airman Doe made another attempt to wake her. Finally she realized what was going on and found her ID card. "Sir, I suspect you are under the influence of alcohol. Could you please step out of the vehicle?" the guard asked. Be cool, Airman Doe thought; I'm sober and I can definitely pass this test. Airman Doe was asked to walk a straight line and turn around. He was then asked to stand on one foot; he lost his balance for a second and put his foot down. Then he was asked to follow the tip of a pen with his eyes. I think I did alright, he thought. "Sir, you've failed our field sobriety test. We're going to need to administer a breathalyzer test," the guard said. Airman Doe was starting to feel concerned now. He looked over at Jane and she was staring right back at him. The breathalyzer was given. They were both taken to the Security Forces building where they sat in a room for what seemed like forever. Finally a security forces member came into the room. "Sir, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or..." Airman Doe couldn't believe what was going on. (Find out what happens in next week's Shaw Spirit.)Evaluating the night:1. Three major indicators that Airman Doe was under the influence were: odor of alcohol, fumbling to find an ID card and a passenger who was passed out. 2. Some signs of walk and turn test failure: cannot balance, stops walking to steady self, does not touch heel to toe or uses arms for balance while turning. 3. Some signs of one-leg-stand test failure: sways while balancing, hopping or puts foot down. 4. Some signs of horizontal gaze nystagmus failure: lack of smooth eye motion. (Information courtesy of Bob Healy, 20th Security Forces Squadron investigations chief and Staff Sgt. John Diefenbach, 20th SFS investigator.)