Why do police ask drunk drivers to spell the alphabet backwards?

Question

I know the point to this, even I can spell the alphabet backwards.

Answer 1

so that they are not directly asking "are you mexican?"

Answer 2

To see how fast there train of thought is.

Answer 3

Can you spell it backwards when you are drunk? Being able to do it sober is one thing...but drunk...that's d**n near impossible.

I have laughed my butt off watching drunks try to do that. It's hilarious...and they never get past 5-6 letters before they trip up. Some of them try to sing it backwards...that is even funnier.

EMT

Answer 4

I don't know. Why don't you get drunk & ask the popo hoe.

Answer 5

To know if you can remember it and not flip flop it.

Answer 6

do they?

Answer 7

To check your dexterity. It also gets you talking, which reveals both slurring and stumbling because people usually get fidgety around cops. Impaired motor skills is what they are checking for when they ask you to walk the line or follow them somewhere (not to mention if the smell stays with you)

Answer 8

The harder the question the harder it is for a drunk person even though it is not hard at all but to a drunk he or she cannot spell their name in most cases...

Answer 9

idk i can hardly do that when im not drunk...hope im never caught lol

Answer 10

Yeah. Pain in da butt.

Answer 11

One- They don't do that in reality.

Two- If they did, they would probably want you to say something like "I couldn't do that if I was sober!!" =)