Legal Definitions - Roadside test

A roadside test, often referred to as a field sobriety test, is a series of physical and mental exercises administered by law enforcement officers to a driver suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These tests are typically conducted at the scene of a traffic stop or accident and are designed to assess a driver's balance, coordination, attention, and ability to follow instructions. The results help an officer determine if there is sufficient probable cause to make an arrest for impaired driving.

Here are some examples of how a roadside test might be applied:

• Example 1: Observed Erratic Driving
  A police officer observes a car repeatedly drifting out of its lane and nearly striking a guardrail on a highway late at night. After pulling the vehicle over, the officer approaches the driver and detects a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the car. The officer then asks the driver to step out and perform a series of roadside tests, such as walking a straight line heel-to-toe and standing on one leg, to assess their level of impairment before deciding whether to make an arrest.

  This example illustrates a roadside test being used when an officer has direct observations of impaired driving behavior and a sensory indication (smell of alcohol) that warrants further investigation into the driver's sobriety.

• Example 2: Post-Accident Investigation
  After responding to a minor collision where a car rear-ended another at a stoplight, an officer speaks with the driver who caused the accident. During the conversation, the officer notices the driver's speech is slurred, and their eyes appear bloodshot and glassy. Although the driver denies consuming alcohol, the officer requests that they perform roadside tests to objectively evaluate their coordination and mental faculties, which could indicate impairment contributing to the accident.

  This example demonstrates a roadside test being administered in the context of an accident investigation, where an officer develops suspicion of impairment based on the driver's physical demeanor and speech patterns.

• Example 3: Sobriety Checkpoint Encounter
  At a routine sobriety checkpoint, an officer briefly interacts with a driver. While the driver doesn't exhibit any obvious signs of intoxication like a strong smell of alcohol, the officer observes that they are unusually slow to respond to questions, have difficulty locating their driver's license, and fumble with their documents. Based on these subtle cues, the officer asks the driver to pull over to a designated area to perform roadside tests, such as the horizontal gaze nystagmus (following a pen with their eyes), to further assess for potential impairment.

  This example shows a roadside test being used at a checkpoint when an officer's initial interaction reveals subtle, non-obvious indicators that suggest a driver might be impaired, prompting a more detailed assessment.