When Pennsylvania law enforcement suspects a driver of operating under the influence, they often rely on field sobriety tests to gather evidence and determine whether an arrest is warranted. While these tests may seem straightforward, they involve complex physical and cognitive tasks that can be challenging even for sober individuals under stressful circumstances. Understanding these tests and your rights during a traffic stop can help you make informed decisions if you ever find yourself under suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
Pennsylvania law enforcement primarily uses three standardized tests developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These tests were designed decades ago to provide officers with a systematic approach to evaluating potential impairment.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus TestÂ
During this evaluation, an officer will ask you to follow a moving object, typically their finger or a small flashlight, with your eyes while keeping your head still. The officer looks for involuntary jerking movements in your eyes, which can occur when someone has consumed alcohol or certain substances. However, medical conditions, fatigue, and other factors can also cause these eye movements.
Walk-and-Turn Test
This assessment requires you to take nine heel-to-toe steps along a straight line, turn around using small steps, and return in the same manner. Officers watch for specific indicators such as losing balance, stepping off the line, using your arms for balance, or taking the wrong number of steps. Many people struggle with this test due to physical limitations, footwear, or uneven road surfaces.
One-Leg Stand Test
The officer will instruct you to stand on one foot while counting aloud and keeping the other foot raised about six inches off the ground for roughly thirty seconds. Officers look for swaying, hopping, putting your foot down, or using arms for balance. Factors like age, weight, medical conditions, and anxiety can affect performance on this test.
Additional Tests Officers May Use
Beyond the three standardized tests, Pennsylvania officers sometimes administer other assessments. These might include reciting the alphabet, counting backwards from a specific number, or touching your finger to your nose with your eyes closed. Officers may also request that you submit to a preliminary breath test using a handheld device, though this differs significantly from the official breath test administered after an arrest.
Understanding Your Rights During Testing
You have the right to refuse field sobriety tests in Pennsylvania. These tests are voluntary, and declining to participate cannot be used against you in court. However, refusing may lead to your arrest if the officer believes they have sufficient evidence of impairment based on other observations.
It is also worth noting that the results of field sobriety tests cannot be used as evidence in Pennsylvania courts to prove intoxication. Instead, these tests help officers establish probable cause for an arrest and justify requesting chemical testing. This distinction is important because it means the tests serve an investigative purpose rather than providing definitive proof of impairment.
Factors That Can Affect Test Performance
Many circumstances beyond alcohol or drug consumption can influence how someone performs on field sobriety tests. These include:
- Physical conditions such as inner ear problems, leg injuries, or neurological disorders
- Environmental factors like poor lighting, uneven pavement, heavy traffic, or bad weather
- Age, weight, and certain medications
- Nervousness and anxiety from being pulled over
Contact a Lancaster County DUI Attorney Today
If you’ve been arrested following field sobriety testing in Pennsylvania, remember that these tests represent just one piece of the evidence in your case. The subjective nature of these assessments and the many factors influencing performance provide potential avenues for challenging the results.
The experienced attorneys at Chieppor & Egner LLC understand the challenges surrounding field sobriety tests and can evaluate whether the testing in your case was conducted properly. Our knowledge of Pennsylvania DUI law and local court procedures can help protect your rights and work toward the best possible outcome for your situation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
