Field sobriety tests are a battery of physical and cognitive tests used by law enforcement officers to assess a person’s level of impairment or intoxication, and help determine if a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Common field sobriety tests include:
1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test: This test assesses involuntary eye jerking as the eyes follow a moving stimulus.
2. Walk-and-Turn Test: the person is asked to take a series of steps along a straight line, usually heel-to-toe, turn, and walk back:
observing balance, coordination, and ability to follow instructions.
3. One-Leg Stand Test: This test involves standing on one leg while maintaining balance and counting for a specified duration of time: looking for signs of imbalance or an inability to complete the test as instructed.