What are field sobriety tests used to assess?

• A. Impairment in drivers suspected of DUI; used to support probable cause for arrest.
• B. Physical fitness
• C. Intelligence
• D. Vision only

Answer: (B)

Field sobriety tests are used to assess impairment in drivers suspected of DUI and to support probable cause for arrest. They examine how well someone can balance, coordinate movements, and divide attention while performing tasks. The goal is to gauge the effects of alcohol or drugs on driving ability, not to measure overall physical fitness, intelligence, or vision in isolation. Because performance on these tasks indicates impairment, officers use the results to decide whether to proceed with chemical testing and arrest. The procedures are standardized to guide interpretation, recognizing they’re a useful indicator but not a perfect measure of impairment in every individual.