|
The SFST is considered one of the best methods for determining whether a
driver is over the legal BAC limit and includes the horizontal gaze nystagmus,
which involves checking for an involuntary movement of the eyes, the walk-and-turn
test and the one-leg stand test. Studies have confirmed the considerable
accuracy of the SFSTs to assist officers in making DWI arrest decisions
(Burns and Anderson 1995; Fazzalaro 2000). Recent field studies with officers
trained and experienced with the battery of tests found arrest decisions
were more than 90 percent correct (Burns 1999).
Many prosecutors prefer officers to administer only the SFSTs to help make
arrest decisions for DWI because the tests have been scientifically validated
and are defensible in court (NHTSA 2001). However, field sobriety tests
are often attacked in court, with the defense arguing that the officer’s
interpretation of the performance of the SFST is subjective. One way to
minimize that challenge is to videotape the performance of the field sobriety
tests (Kuboviak and Quarles 1998). See in-car videotaping
section.
SFSTs are used in all 50 states and have become the standard pre-arrest
procedures for evaluating DWI in most law enforcement agencies. Recent research
and surveys of law enforcement officers notes one of the key issues with
SFST is ensuring all patrol officers in the United States are trained to
conduct the test. |
