During a traffic stop where police officers suspect chemical impairment, they may administer field sobriety tests. Drivers interacting with law enforcement professionals often feel compelled to follow an officer’s instructions. They may comply to the best of their ability in the hope that the officer uses their discretion and chooses not to arrest them.
They may not realize that their choices could increase their risk of prosecution. Field sobriety testing often provides the basis for officers to arrest people and demand chemical testing. People who know what to expect during field sobriety testing may be able to avoid unfairly facing DUI charges.
There are three standardized tests
Police officers trying to determine an individual’s degree of chemical impairment need to use credible testing procedures. There are three field sobriety tests regarded as standard during DUI traffic stops. Officers may ask people to walk in a straight line, turn around and walk back out along the same line during the walk-and-turn test.
They may evaluate an individual’s sense of balance during the one-leg stand test. Officers also look for muscle spasms in the eyes during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. If a driver fails one or more of these tests, they are likely at risk of a DUI arrest.
False positives are common
Research into the accuracy of field sobriety testing shows that false positives are common. Especially in scenarios where officers have insufficient training, they can misinterpret actions and infer impairment when a motorist might be sober enough to legally drive.
A variety of medical conditions and even simple nervousness caused by the traffic stop could potentially compromise an individual’s performance on field sobriety tests. Officers may ignore a driver’s explanation of why they failed a test and may proceed with an arrest.
Drivers arrested because of field sobriety testing can potentially defend against their DUI charges with a proper strategy. Drivers can also sometimes avoid arrest by refusing to perform field sobriety tests. Drivers have the right to decline field sobriety tests without facing additional consequences or immediate arrest.
Learning more about the process that occurs during drunk driving traffic stops can help people develop workable DUI defense strategies. Motorists who know and assert their rights have less reason to fear unfair and unnecessary criminal charges.
