What is the first step to take when arresting someone for OUI?

The first step to take when arresting someone for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) is to conduct a field sobriety test. This is essential as it provides initial evidence of impairment, allowing the officer to assess the suspect's ability to operate a vehicle safely. Field sobriety tests are standardized procedures used to gather observable evidence of intoxication through physical coordination and cognitive function assessments.

While requesting a breathalyzer test and transportation to a testing facility are important steps that follow the initial evaluation, they come after establishing probable cause through the field sobriety tests. Calling for backup might be necessary in certain situations, especially if the arrest could potentially be confrontational, but it is not the primary step when addressing OUI specifically. Therefore, conducting a field sobriety test is the critical first action in this context because it lays the foundational evidence for further enforcement actions.