What is the purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)?

The primary purpose of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) is to assess the driver's level of alcohol impairment. When law enforcement officers suspect a driver may be under the influence of alcohol, SFST provides a systematic method for evaluating their physical and cognitive abilities, which can be compromised by alcohol consumption.

Through a series of tests, such as the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand, officers can observe signs of impairment that may indicate whether a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely is affected. The results of these tests can provide strong evidence regarding the driver's level of impairment, which is crucial for determining whether to proceed with further actions, such as arrest or breathalyzer testing.

The other options relate to aspects not directly assessed by SFST. For example, evaluating the vehicle's mechanical status, assessing road conditions, or calculating reaction times are not components of the SFST process, which is specifically designed to gauge impairment related to alcohol use. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on the central goal of SFST, which is to understand the driver's state of impairment as influenced by alcohol consumption.