When police officers suspect people of drunk driving, they start looking for evidence. They may ask the driver questions about their prior activities, including whether they have consumed any alcohol. Particularly in scenarios where people admit to drinking but insist that they only had one or two beverages, officers may want to evaluate them for signs of intoxication.
An officer might ask the driver to exit their vehicle and submit to a series of field sobriety tests. Many people fear the idea of field sobriety testing. They may feel anxious about how they may perform on the test, possibly because of pre-existing medical conditions. They may also worry about someone they know witnessing them on the side of the road performing the tests.
Drivers who understand what happens during field sobriety testing may be less anxious about the process and more capable of asserting themselves during interactions with law enforcement.
Officers administer up to three tests
There are three standardized field sobriety tests. Police officers generally receive extensive training on how to administer these field sobriety tests.
Officers may ask people to complete the walk-and-turn test. This test requires that the driver walk in a straight line, turn completely around and walk back along the same line. Officers may also administer the one-leg stand test where a driver has to shift their weight onto one leg and maintain their balance.
Finally, drivers may need to perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. This test involves following an object from side to side with their eyes without moving their head. Officers typically administer these tests in a location where they can capture video footage of the driver’s performance and may make notes about what happened as well.
What happens after testing?
Sometimes, field sobriety tests conclusively exonerate a driver. They perform flawlessly, which makes it clear that they do not currently have impaired ability. Other times, drivers may struggle with one or more of the standardized field sobriety tests. In those cases, the officer may have the probable cause required by law to arrest the driver.
Motorists who worry about their ability to pass the tests do have the option of declining the tests. Technically, field sobriety tests are optional. Drivers are not at risk of penalties if they politely decline to perform the test. It is worth noting that the field sobriety tests have a noticeably high false positive rate. People may fail the tests even though they are not actually under the influence.
Those facing drunk driving charges backed by field sobriety test results may need help preparing a defense strategy. Learning more about impaired driving charges and testing may help people respond effectively when accused of violating the law.