Getting pulled over for suspected drunk driving creates stress and anxiety for many drivers. During these stops, law enforcement officers often request drivers to perform field sobriety tests along with breathalyzer tests. While these physical tests are standard procedures, their reliability is sometimes unclear.
Standard field sobriety tests in Georgia
Law enforcement officers in Georgia rely on three standardized field sobriety tests during DUI stops:
- Horizontal gaze nystagmus test: Officers track your eye movements as you follow an object from side to side and look for involuntary eye jerking.
- Walk-and-turn test: Drivers need to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line, turn around and repeat the walk back.
- One-leg stand test: Officers judge your balance as you stand on one leg for 30 seconds while also counting aloud.
Officers watch for specific signs they interpret as potential impairment during these tests.
Misleading results from field sobriety tests
The results of field sobriety tests aren’t always reliable. Several factors may cause you to fail even when completely sober:
- Medical conditions: Inner ear problems or neurological issues may affect balance
- Physical limitations: Age, weight or injuries can also impact overall coordination
- Environmental factors: Uneven road surfaces or poor lighting at night make balancing or walking harder
- Anxiety: Stress from the traffic stop can cause physical symptoms, including incoordination
- Fatigue: Exhaustion often mimics signs of impairment
These factors are why field sobriety test results alone don’t definitively prove impairment or intoxication.
Challenging field sobriety test results
Field sobriety tests involve a lot of human interpretation and environmental variables that affect their accuracy. Thankfully, unlike breathalyzer tests, Georgia law does not require you to perform field sobriety tests. You may refuse the test without worrying about any additional charges or penalties.
If you’re not drunk and still failed the test, an experienced defense attorney may help you challenge the result’s validity in court. You can question the tests’ reliability due to their subjective nature and many external factors that can influence performance.
