Course Description

The Missouri Safety Center’s Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) course provides law enforcement officers with critical knowledge and skills to enhance their ability to detect and apprehend drug-impaired drivers. Developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with input from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, this intensive 16-hour training program bridges the gap between Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program. ARIDE expands officers’ understanding of drug impairment, enabling them to recognize observable signs, effectively utilize roadside testing techniques beyond alcohol detection, and build stronger cases for successful prosecution. By mastering these advanced techniques, officers will significantly improve roadway safety and reduce incidents of drug-impaired driving across Missouri.

Course Objectives and Outcomes

Mastering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)

Sharpen your expertise in administering and interpreting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. This course includes a comprehensive review of SFST validation studies and proper administration techniques, ensuring officers can confidently and accurately conduct these tests and demonstrate proficiency to meet Missouri P.O.S.T. certification requirements. Participants will refine their skills in administering the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT), and One Leg Stand (OLS) tests, and learn to recognize the subtle indicators of impairment they reveal.

Understanding Drug-Impaired Driving

Officers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between drugs and impaired driving. The course explores statistical data on drug use and driving and enables participants to identify and articulate the observable signs of impairment across the seven drug categories recognized by the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program. A foundational knowledge of human physiology and how different drug categories affect the body and driving abilities will be developed.

Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Techniques

Expand your toolkit for roadside detection beyond Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Participants will learn to effectively administer and interpret additional assessment tools, including the Lack of Convergence (LOC) test and the Modified Romberg Balance (MRB) test. The course will cover the purposes and administration of various eye examinations used in ARIDE, such as Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN), and Lack of Convergence (LOC), and explain how these techniques contribute to identifying drug impairment.

Legal Procedures and Prosecution

Strengthen your ability to build robust cases for the prosecution of drug-impaired drivers. The course emphasizes the critical importance of documenting observed indicators of impairment throughout the DWI detection process, from vehicle in motion to post-arrest procedures. Officers will learn how to effectively articulate evidence in written reports and courtroom testimony as well as identify key resources to support successful prosecution. Pre-trial and trial tasks are also covered to enhance officers’ effectiveness in legal proceedings.

Polydrug Impairment

Prepare to address the complexities of polydrug impairment, where individuals are under the influence of multiple substances. The definition of polydrug impairment will be clarified, and the course will explore the prevalence of drug and alcohol combinations. Officers will learn to recognize the unique indicators and challenges associated with polydrug use, enabling more accurate assessments in these complex situations.

Other Information

This course is approved by Missouri P.O.S.T. and provides the following Continuing Education Hours: 16 total hours.

• Technical Studies: 6 hours
• Interpersonal Perspectives: 2 hours
• Skill Development: 6 hours
• Legal Studies: 2 hours

ARIDE intends to bridge the gap between the SFST and DEC programs by providing officers with general knowledge related to drug impairment and by promoting the use of DREs in states that have a DEC program. One of the more significant aspects of ARIDE is its review and required student demonstration of the SFST proficiency requirements.

Tuition is waived for qualified Missouri Law Enforcement Officers through funding by MoDOT grants. Agencies are responsible for lodging and other expenses unless otherwise noted.