Field sobriety testing is a well-known component of many drunk driving traffic stops. If police officers suspect that someone is under the influence, they may ask that driver to exit their vehicle. The officer may then instruct them to perform a series of three tests.
Many people fear field sobriety testing as they worry about potential embarrassment. They imagine that someone who knows them might drive past while they perform tests on the side of the road. Embarrassment should be the lowest priority consideration for those at risk of a driving under the influence (DUI) arrest.
What do drivers generally need to know about field sobriety testing?
The goal is to prove intoxication, not sobriety
Police officers in Illinois follow a checklist when administering field sobriety tests. They look for small indicators of impairment, like someone setting a foot down while attempting to balance on one leg. Drivers often consent to field sobriety testing in the hope of proving they are sober enough to drive. However, the true goal of the testing is to establish chemical intoxication. Small mistakes and performance issues on the test can lead to police officers arresting someone.
Field sobriety testing is not mandatory
Quite a few people believe that they have to submit to a field sobriety test when an officer makes the request. However, the law does not compel motorists to perform field sobriety tests. While there is a law mandating submission to chemical testing after an arrest, there is no rule that forces drivers to perform field sobriety tests during a traffic stop. Drivers can theoretically decline field sobriety testing without risking immediate arrest or additional penalties.
Field sobriety testing isn’t always accurate
There are a variety of reasons why people may perform poorly on field sobriety tests. They may have pre-existing medical conditions that affect their sense of balance, their hearing or their coordination. They may have mental health challenges that make them particularly anxious when interacting with authority figures. Those who do submit to field sobriety testing and perform poorly can sometimes present evidence at a criminal trial establishing a reasonable explanation for their test results.
Motorists who know their rights are less likely to make mistakes that lead to DUI charges. Fighting pending charges is still possible even if a driver has failed field sobriety testing.