What is the primary purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing?

The primary purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) is to assess potential alcohol impairment. This set of tests is designed to help law enforcement officers determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. SFSTs measure specific physical and cognitive abilities that are typically affected by impairment due to substance use, such as balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions.

By evaluating a driver's performance in these tests, officers can gather evidence that supports their observations regarding impairment levels. This assessment is crucial in making informed decisions about whether to arrest someone for driving under the influence. The structured format of SFSTs also enhances their reliability and validity in legal proceedings, lending support to the officer's conclusions based on the observed behaviors during the tests.

The other options pertain to functions that either do not align with the intent behind SFSTs or are secondary outcomes rather than their primary purpose. For example, establishing a traffic citation, collecting fines, or generating police reports could occur as a result of an officer's findings during SFSTs, but these are not the fundamental objective of conducting the tests themselves.