What is the purpose of a field sobriety test and what should be observed?

Study for the Central New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Exam 1. Engage in interactive flashcards and in-depth multiple choice questions covering essential aspects of law enforcement. Prepare efficiently and ensure success!

Field sobriety tests are used to determine whether a driver is impaired at the time of the stop. Officers administer them using standardized procedures so the assessment is consistent and legally defensible. They observe and record how the person performs—looking for balance and coordination issues, difficulty following instructions, slurred or slowed speech, and involuntary eye movements—as well as any safety concerns or hazards encountered during the testing. This combination of observable performance and safety observations provides evidence of impairment and supports probable cause for further action, while recognizing that no single test is definitive and results are weighed with other evidence.