What should an officer do if a driver exhibits probable cause for DWI?

When a driver exhibits probable cause for driving while intoxicated (DWI), the appropriate course of action for an officer is to administer field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to assess the impairment level of the driver and can provide evidence of intoxication.

Field sobriety tests typically include various assessments such as the one-leg stand, walk-and-turn test, and horizontal gaze nystagmus. These tests help the officer gather objective data on the driver’s coordination, balance, and ability to follow instructions, which are critical indicators of impairment. If the results suggest that the driver is impaired, this evidence can support further actions, such as arresting the driver for DWI.

Conducting a warning or issuing a ticket might not adequately address the serious nature of a suspected DWI. Warnings are generally used for less severe offenses, and simply issuing a ticket does not involve a thorough evaluation of the driver’s sobriety, which is essential in impaired driving cases. Calling a witness, while potentially useful in some situations, does not directly help in assessing a driver's level of impairment on the spot and does not present a clear path for ensuring road safety. Hence, administering field sobriety tests is the most appropriate and effective response in this scenario.