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3 things drivers should know about field sobriety tests

On Behalf of | Jan 18, 2025 | Drunk Driving

Field sobriety tests are a standard part of drunk driving traffic stops. Police officers who believe someone is under the influence of alcohol may ask the driver to step out of their vehicle. They may then guide the driver through a series of tests to determine if they are too drunk to drive.

Depending on how a driver performs on a field sobriety test, a police officer might arrest them afterward and then demand that they submit to a chemical breath test. For many people, the prospect of field sobriety testing is the most anxiety-inducing element of a traffic stop. They worry that someone they know might see them on the side of the road. Drivers who have a stronger understanding of the field sobriety testing process are in a better position to assert and protect themselves.

What do people generally need to know about field sobriety testing?

Officers should follow proper procedure

There are several rules that apply when law enforcement professionals administer field sobriety tests. Generally speaking, they should only administer the three standardized tests. Officers should make a point of administering those tests in locations captured by their dashboard cameras so that there is verifiable evidence of a driver’s test performance.

False positives are common

Field sobriety testing is far from perfect. There are various medical issues that can lead to false positive results. Factors ranging from physical medical issues to mental health challenges like anxiety can compromise a motorist’s performance and raise questions about their sobriety when they may have had nothing at all to drink. The tests do not conclusively prove that someone was drunk or sober but merely serve to indicate the possibility of chemical impairment.

Testing is not mandatory

Many drivers believe they have to submit to field sobriety tests during traffic stops. However, they generally have the option of declining the test request without consequence. The law does not force drivers to perform physical tests during traffic stops. Drivers who agree to the tests in the hopes of exonerating themselves sometimes unintentionally give the state more evidence to use against them in court. Knowing what to expect during a traffic stop and the basics about field sobriety testing can help drivers better assert themselves.

Those facing drunk driving charges backed by field sobriety test results may need help responding in court. Defense strategies can raise questions about the accuracy of testing or the legality of a traffic stop. Drivers who use the right strategy can sometimes beat drunk driving charges after failing field sobriety tests.

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Travis L. Noble is a graduate of the National College for DUI Defense at Harvard University, and he lectures at seminars nationwide on DWI/DUI topics. He is the lawyer whom other lawyers consult to defend their DWI clients. Most importantly, he has a track record of successfully defending some of the toughest DWI cases in Missouri and beyond.

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