Challenging the Field Sobriety Tests

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the Government agency that regulates standardized field sobriety testing. According to NHTSA, when performed and tested healthy individuals the following results were found:

• The one-leg stand test is only 65% accurate for BAC above .10%
• The walk-and-turn test is only 68% accurate for BAC above .10%
• Nystagmus test was only 77% accurate for BAC above .10%

According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s own training manual, improperly administered field sobriety tests do not produce reliable evidence of intoxication. NHTSA does not endorse non-standardized field sobriety tests such as; reciting the alphabet, counting backwards or picking up an object. This means there is no scientific foundation for the officer to justify giving you this test or that your performance can translate into intoxication.