A simple test?

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Here in PA, if you get caught driving under the influence, you will be given a sobriety test. One of these tests, require you to say the alphabet backwards. I had to do this before, and I argued with the officer, that I couldn't do it, even if I were sober. He didn't believe me, and said I was just making excuses. My brain just doesn't function that way.

Sure I can do it VERY slowly but, I'm assuming the majority of folks can do it effortlessly, while sober. Anybody else have this difficulty/inability?

Don't they have portable breath analysis equipment?
In The Netherlands they do and when the machine gives a certain readout you have to come to the bureau and use a more precise analyser.

OMG, I've heard ppl say that but I thought they were making this up. That's crazy. Are you serious?

I could if I did it slowly, because I actually have to go from A to Z all the time to figure what it is backwards. I didn't learn the correct sequence of the alphabet until I was in sixth grade - nobody can expect me to say it backwards.

That's a rather senseless test if I'm allowed to say so. Are you sure the officer wasn't just making it up because he forgot his equipment or something?

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I couldn't pass the normal field sobriety tests while sober, but I could probably easily do the reverse alphabet one while drunk.

I don't think I could do it drunk or sober, either. I have trouble with counting to 10 backwards. And forget the 99 bottles of beer song. I get to about 89 then start going forward.

I also can't walk a straight line, either.

The cops in my town tried to get me for DUI one night. The speed limit is 25 on a road that goes downhill and if you go one mile over they pull you over. Well it was late one night and the cop was right on my ass. He pulled me over anyway. I said, what did I do? He said you wobbled over the centerline. I said that is because you are making me nervous. I knew what he was up to and told him, look, I have been at So-and-so's all evening, you can call the number and verify, because she does not drink or allow it in her house. Well, he had to let me go because he could tell I was sober. I don't think he was very happy though.

We once did this test for fun in the military, and I was way faster than anybody else.

its a conspiracy to drain the public of money

I'm flabbergasted that your police don't have breathalysers still. They have been part of motoring here for what must be near 40 years.

Sometimes I can't even get it right saying it forwards!

I didn't say, that we don't have, and use, breathalyzers. When you get arrested for DUI/DWI, they use multiple tests. They might make you walk a straight line, touch your finger to your nose, etc... along with the breathalyzer, and blood/alcohol test. I was just wondering, if others have difficulty saying the alphabet backwards, like I do. Does that help explain things?

I have trouble reciting the alphabet backwards, even if sober.

I don't think I can do that sober

I had written:

I might have to doubt my earlier statement. I tried it(sober), and like a few others here, I have to recite the alphabet in my mind forward first and then backwards, OR visualize what it looks like written down with my eyes closed(and speak it that way) in order for me to do it without hesitation.

definitely cannot say it backwards without pausing to figure it out past ZYX. I can't even start in the middle and go forwards...always have to start with A. Some cops will do that, but it's usually so they can watch you stand, and watch your eyes, while you concentrate. Or, if they REALLY think someone's screwed up on something it gives them an excuse to get the person off the road. That's what my sheriff's deputy friend told me.

NO WAY! I have seen TOO MANY that have trouble!

abcdef

z y x v u t

As for ME? Ask me what number letter P is, and I will say 16. HOW?

m is the closest I IMMEDIATELY know the number of. It is 13!
n
o
p +3=16

Roundabout, but the average nt that doesn't have such an interest would start counting:

a=1,b=2,c=3,d=4,e=5,f=6
g=7,h=8,i=9,j=10,k=11,l=12,m=13
etc...