What is a field sobriety test?

A field sobriety test is a police procedure conducted to determine if a person is impaired by alcohol or drugs while driving. In North Carolina, a field sobriety test is usually conducted if an officer suspects a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The test is designed to evaluate a person’s abilities to perform physical and mental activities. It measures a person’s ability to divide their attention and concentrate on multiple tasks. The test generally consists of three parts. The first part is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, which tests for the presence of an involuntary jerking of the eye when it is moved to the side. The second part is the walk and turn test, where a person must take nine steps forward and back in heel-to-toe fashion while remaining balanced. The last part is the one-leg stand test, where a person must stand on one foot with the other foot held 6 inches off the ground for up to 30 seconds. Field sobriety tests are not strictly scientific, and the results are subjective and open to interpretation by the officer administering the test. However, the tests can be used as evidence in a DUI/DWI case. So you should understand the implications of taking a field sobriety test and have a clear idea of your rights if you are pulled over by the police.

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What is a field sobriety test?

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