On the road, officers have ways of testing drivers for sobriety. This way, they can remove threats before they cause issue instead of waiting to deal with the aftermath. One type of tests they rely on are field sobriety tests.
What are these tests? How do officers utilize them? What should you expect if given a field sobriety test?
Which type of test are you likely to face?
VeryWell Mind looks into the battery of field sobriety tests that officers use on site. Tests divide into two categories: standardized and non-standardized. Non-standardized tests do not follow a uniform rubric. Because they have fewer regulations, there are more of them. By comparison, you have three standardized sobriety tests.
On the other hand, officers do not often rely on non-standardized tests. Because they allow for more officer bias, they do not come in handy in the actual court case. But even standardized tests have flaws and do not stand on their own as convincing evidence of guilt.
Failure of field sobriety tests
That is not to say you should treat these tests lightly, though. Failing a field sobriety test can give the officer what they need to introduce further testing. This can include blood and breath tests, which often prove more solid evidence in court. In some cases, they can even use it as probable cause for arrest, depending on how poorly you perform.
But do not count yourself out as soon as you fail a test. Consider contacting a legal expert. They can help guide your actions moving forward. Staying level-headed while treating this as a serious concern will help you out.