One of the last things that drivers want to see while driving is a police car behind them with its lights flashing. However, it is a fact of life that happens every day. So long as police officers have probable cause to believe drivers are drinking and driving, they can pull them over and make them perform various field sobriety tests.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

The best way to define field sobriety tests is to explain their purpose. Basically, the purpose of these tests is to measure a person’s specific reflexes and/or responses that can become compromised after drinking alcohol. For example, when people drink excessively, their coordination and ability to follow directions are often adversely affected. Some tests can also measure blood alcohol content, or BAC.

Common Types of Tests

There are several different types of field sobriety tests that police officers can make drivers perform if they suspect they have been drinking and driving. While drivers can refuse to take these tests, it is essential to note that if they do refuse, they very well could be arrested. Some of the most common tests and brief descriptions of each can be found below.

1. The Breathalyzer – When people drink, the alcohol is absorbed into their body, and one of the places where it ends up is in the lungs. A breathalyzer device can determine the amount of alcohol that is in the person’s body. While the legal standard that defined drunkenness was once a 0.10 BAC in the U.S., many states today have pushed the limit back to 0.08.
2. Stand on One Leg – The purpose of this test is to measure the driver’s ability to maintain balance while standing on one leg. During this test, drivers are asked to place their hands to their sides, lift one leg and slowly count to a certain number. The police officer will take note if the person loses balance, loses count, displays a lack of coordination or falls over.
3. Walk a Straight Line – This test is often referred to as the walk and turn test. Drivers who are asked to perform this test will need to walk a specific number of steps in a heel-to-toe fashion along an invisible line. At the end of the line, they must turn and walk back the same way. They will fail the test if they lose their balance, walk outside of the line, lose count of their steps or fall over.
4. Touching the Nose – In this test, drivers will be asked to stand straight with their feet together. They must then close their eyes, extend one arm at a time and touch their nose. People who lose their balance, miss their nose or display muscle tremors will fail the test.
5. The Nystagmus Test – During this test, police officers will request drivers to follow a pencil or finger while it is about six inches from the nose. If the drivers cannot follow the pencil or finger or if their eyes waver, jerk or tremble, they will fail the test.
6. Rhomberg Balance Test – Drivers who are asked to perform this test will be instructed to stand straight with their eyes closed and their head tilted back. If they lose their balance, fall over, or display any muscle tremors or spasms, they will fail the test.

Avoiding Field Sobriety Tests

Of course, the best way to avoid getting pulled over and being asked to perform a field sobriety test is to not drink and drive. Drinking and driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and vehicle-related deaths today. When people have been drinking and need to drive home, they should always ask a sober person to drive them. If there is not anyone available to drive them home, they should call a taxi.