There are many ways for police officers to justify a drunk driving arrest. Frequently, chemical testing plays a key part in the case against an allegedly drunk driver. However, field sobriety testing is also an important law enforcement tool. Many motorists only have basic information about field sobriety testing. They can potentially make mistakes during a traffic stop if they don’t understand field sobriety testing and their rights as motorists.
What do drivers generally need to know about field sobriety testing?
The goal is to prove impairment, not sobriety
Many drivers eagerly exit their vehicles because they want an opportunity to prove that they are not under the influence. Despite what the name of the tests may imply, the goal of field sobriety testing is not to prove that a driver was sober enough to drive. It is to gather the necessary probable cause to arrest them for not being sober enough. Field sobriety testing aims to gauge the level of chemical impairment of a motorist, and those who perform poorly on any of the tests could be at risk of arrest.
Testing is not mandatory
Most drivers assume they have to comply with an officer’s request to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests during a traffic stop. However, officers cannot force people to undergo field sobriety testing. There are no consequences for refusing to submit to field sobriety tests. The implied consent law mandating testing applies only to chemical tests requested after police officers arrest a driver.
False positives are a real concern
Field sobriety testing is not infallible. There are a host of issues that can cause false positive results. Issues ranging from neurological conditions to anxiety could affect a driver’s performance on field sobriety tests. They can make little missteps that lead to officers assuming they are drunk when they are actually just nervous or have regular issues with motor function. People who refuse field sobriety tests can avoid scenarios in which they wrongfully implicate themselves.
Those who fail field sobriety tests can sometimes challenge test results as part of a drunk driving defense strategy. Understanding the reality of field sobriety testing can help people better protect themselves during encounters with police officers.
