What is a primary purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)?

The primary purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) is to determine if the driver is legally drunk. SFSTs are specific tests developed to assess an individual's level of impairment due to alcohol consumption. These tests include tasks such as observing the driver's balance, coordination, and ability to follow directions, which serve as indicators of their physical and mental faculties being affected by alcohol. When a law enforcement officer administers these tests, they are gathering evidence to support a determination of whether the driver is under the influence beyond the legal limit, typically established as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% in many jurisdictions.

Other options, such as evaluating knowledge of traffic laws or assessing driving history, do not relate directly to the issue of impairment caused by alcohol, which is the specific focus of SFSTs. Furthermore, while police intervention may occur during a traffic stop, SFSTs are not intended to provide an excuse for such intervention; rather, they are used as a tool to identify potential impairment in drivers. Ensuring that these tests are conducted according to standardized protocols helps to maintain the integrity of the assessment of impairment.