People who are pulled over for the suspicion of drunk driving are often asked to take tests to help the officer determine if they’re impaired. These tests are known as field sobriety tests. While there are many different types of field sobriety tests, only three of them are standardized.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes the walk and turn, one-leg stand and horizontal gaze nystagmus as reliable enough to be used in a criminal case. Collectively, these three tests are the standardized field sobriety test. Understanding these tests may benefit individuals who are asked to take the tests.
Walk and turn
The walk and turn requires the driver to take steps heel-to-toe in a straight line. Once the driver gets to the end of the required number of steps, the person must pivot and return to the starting point in the same way.
One-leg stand
The one-leg stand requires the driver to stand with their hands by their side and lift one foot approximately six inches off the ground. They must hold this position for 30 seconds without trying to use their arms to balance.
Horizontal gaze nystagmus
The horizontal gaze nystagmus requires the driver to use their eyes to follow an object, typically a pen or something similar, that the police officer is holding. A person who’s sober should be able to do this without moving their head and with smooth eye movement. A person who’s intoxicated will likely have an involuntary jerking motion of their eyes as they follow the object.
Standardized field sobriety tests can sometimes be challenged as part of a defense strategy. It may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can determine how to craft the defense.