When a police officer spots you driving a vehicle erratically or suspects you are under the influence of alcohol, they may pull you over. If they do, they might request you take part in a series of field sobriety tests. This will help them decide whether or not they have probable cause for an OWI arrest. By familiarizing yourself with these tests and how to perform them properly, you may be able to avoid a potential arrest.
The three standardized field sobriety tests
Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are three recognized tests. Each of these tests examines a person’s balance, attention, eye movement and thinking ability. These are all factors that can affect a driver’s performance on the road. The three tests are as follows:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: You follow the movements of an object with your eyes. The officer pays attention to involuntary jerking that may indicate alcohol impairment.
- Walk-and-Turn: You take nine steps along a straight line, before turning in a specific way and walking back. The officer checks your balance, coordination and ability to follow instructions.
- One-Leg Stand: You raise one foot about six inches off the ground and count aloud. The officer observes your balance and keeps an eye out for swaying or hopping.
Even when officers administer these tests, many factors can affect performance. Fatigue, medical conditions, uneven surfaces and poor lighting can all influence the results. After finishing these tests, the officer combines their observations with your driving behavior, speech and other cues to determine if an arrest is necessary.
What makes these tests so significant?
Field sobriety tests help an officer decide whether to arrest, but these tests alone cannot determine if a person drove under the influence. If an officer arrests you for OWI, Indiana’s implied consent law will require you to submit to a chemical test.
While field sobriety tests are not mandatory, there are penalties that come with refusing a chemical test, such as license suspensions. With this in mind, these tests have the potential to shape an OWI arrest or charge, which means it is important to take them seriously.