The Standardized Field Sobriety Test is a collection of three tests which were developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration (N.
H.
T.
S.
A.
) in conjunction with Southern California Research Institute.
This research provided scientific evidence to support the accuracy of these three tests in the detection of impairment by an individual.
The three tests which are used are: The One-Legged Stand, The Walk-and-Turn, and the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test.
Theses tests were designed to provide the Officers with evidence that the Driver is possibly impaired and therefore could be violating that jurisdictions Driving While Intoxicated laws.
This article will review the One-Legged Stand.
This test is both a balance tests, as well as a divided-attention test.
Obviously, those that are impaired will find their ability to balance goes down.
However this test, in addition to the Walk-and-Turn Test, is designed to divide the Driver's attention.
When intoxicated, it is harder to perform more than one task at a time.
To start the test, the Driver is asked to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart while the instructions are given.
The Officer explains they want the Driver to stand on either foot while raising the other foot.
The decision of what foot to raise is the Driver's.
The raised foot is to be lifted approximately six to eight inches off the ground with the toes pointed up.
Normally the Officer will demonstrate this while explaining the test.
The Driver is to keep their hands at their sides, stare at their raised foot and count to thirty seconds.
When the Driver reaches thirty, they are to put their foot down.
The test is completed when the foot is placed down at the end of thirty seconds.
During the One-Legged Stand Test, the officer is looking for four clues.
Obviously, the more clues the Driver exhibits, the more intoxicated the Driver supposedly is.
The four clues are: 1.
Using hands/arms for balance, 2.
Swaying, 3.
Hopping for balance, and 4.
Putting the raised foot down early.
The research by the N.
H.
T.
S.
A.
concluded that the presence of two clues is indicative of an impairment of.
08 Blood Alcohol Concentration with an accuracy of 83%.
Do to the potential for invalid "clues" the Officer should ask the Driver about any leg injuries, or other injuries, which may prohibit the Driver from performing the test.
Additionally, the area to perform the test should be lit (at least by the headlights and spotlights of the cruiser) as well as on a flat surface.
If the Driver is wearing shoes with a heel (normally two inches or more) the Driver should be given the option of removing their shoe to perform the test barefoot.
This test, along with other Field Sobriety Tests, are designed to gather evidence used against the Driver should they be arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
It is best to respectfully decline to perform the tests to ensure this evidence isn't provided and/or to avoid getting 'false positives' on the tests.
H.
T.
S.
A.
) in conjunction with Southern California Research Institute.
This research provided scientific evidence to support the accuracy of these three tests in the detection of impairment by an individual.
The three tests which are used are: The One-Legged Stand, The Walk-and-Turn, and the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test.
Theses tests were designed to provide the Officers with evidence that the Driver is possibly impaired and therefore could be violating that jurisdictions Driving While Intoxicated laws.
This article will review the One-Legged Stand.
This test is both a balance tests, as well as a divided-attention test.
Obviously, those that are impaired will find their ability to balance goes down.
However this test, in addition to the Walk-and-Turn Test, is designed to divide the Driver's attention.
When intoxicated, it is harder to perform more than one task at a time.
To start the test, the Driver is asked to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart while the instructions are given.
The Officer explains they want the Driver to stand on either foot while raising the other foot.
The decision of what foot to raise is the Driver's.
The raised foot is to be lifted approximately six to eight inches off the ground with the toes pointed up.
Normally the Officer will demonstrate this while explaining the test.
The Driver is to keep their hands at their sides, stare at their raised foot and count to thirty seconds.
When the Driver reaches thirty, they are to put their foot down.
The test is completed when the foot is placed down at the end of thirty seconds.
During the One-Legged Stand Test, the officer is looking for four clues.
Obviously, the more clues the Driver exhibits, the more intoxicated the Driver supposedly is.
The four clues are: 1.
Using hands/arms for balance, 2.
Swaying, 3.
Hopping for balance, and 4.
Putting the raised foot down early.
The research by the N.
H.
T.
S.
A.
concluded that the presence of two clues is indicative of an impairment of.
08 Blood Alcohol Concentration with an accuracy of 83%.
Do to the potential for invalid "clues" the Officer should ask the Driver about any leg injuries, or other injuries, which may prohibit the Driver from performing the test.
Additionally, the area to perform the test should be lit (at least by the headlights and spotlights of the cruiser) as well as on a flat surface.
If the Driver is wearing shoes with a heel (normally two inches or more) the Driver should be given the option of removing their shoe to perform the test barefoot.
This test, along with other Field Sobriety Tests, are designed to gather evidence used against the Driver should they be arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
It is best to respectfully decline to perform the tests to ensure this evidence isn't provided and/or to avoid getting 'false positives' on the tests.
Source...