Police officers look for any evidence of impairment during drunk driving traffic stops. Field sobriety testing is often how they obtain legal justification for an arrest or a request for a chemical test.
Field sobriety tests are not mandatory, but many drivers voluntarily submit to them during traffic stops at the request of police officers. They hope to pass the tests and prove they didn’t break the law. Officers generally must perform standardized tests that align with medical science for results to be credible.
What are the three tests police officers use to estimate a person’s impairment?
1. The walk-and-turn test
People often stumble when they walk while under the influence. The walk-and-turn test is a simple way for officers to roughly gauge the likelihood of a person’s intoxication.
2. The one-leg stand test
Alcohol also affects balance, not just the way people walk. Individuals may struggle to maintain their balance on one foot while under the influence.
3. The horizontal gaze nystagmus test
Police officers often request that people follow a moving object with their eyes during field sobriety testing. The purpose of this test is to watch for involuntary muscle spasm. Failing one or more of the standard field sobriety tests can provide police officers with the probable cause they need to arrest a driver and administer a chemical test.
Working with an attorney can be helpful for those who have an explanation for why they failed field sobriety tests other than alcohol. Anyone accused of a drunk driving offense may need help understanding the law and assessing different possible defense strategies, and that’s okay.