If an officer asks you to perform a field sobriety test in Massachusetts, you should know that numerous external factors can influence your performance. These voluntary tests are designed to help officers search for evidence of impairment. By learning about the conditions that might affect your results, you may be able to protect yourself from wrongful charges.
Environmental and weather conditions
The location and weather where you perform field sobriety tests can significantly impact your performance. Uneven pavement, gravel, slopes or potholes make it difficult for anyone to maintain balance, regardless of sobriety. If you are asked to perform tests on the side of a busy highway, the stress and distraction of passing traffic can affect your concentration and coordination.
Weather conditions present additional challenges you might face. Rain, snow or ice create slippery surfaces that compromise your stability. Strong winds can throw off your balance during tests that require you to stand on one leg or walk in a straight line. Poor lighting at night makes it harder to see where you are stepping and maintain proper foot placement during the walk-and-turn test.
Physical and medical conditions
Your physical condition and medical history can substantially affect field sobriety test performance. If you have injuries to your legs, ankles, knees or back, you might struggle with balance-based tests even when completely sober. Inner ear problems, neurological conditions or conditions affecting your equilibrium can produce results that mimic impairment.
Similarly, if you wear certain types of shoes, particularly high heels or boots, your footwear can make it nearly impossible to perform tests as instructed. Under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines, officers typically allow you to remove your footwear before participating in a field sobriety test if you are wearing heels higher than two inches.
Psychological and situational factors
The stress and anxiety of a traffic stop can affect your performance on field sobriety tests. Nervousness might cause you to shake, forget instructions or struggle with tasks you could normally complete easily.
Similarly, fatigue from a long day at work or lack of sleep can impair your coordination and cognitive function in ways that resemble intoxication. Language barriers may also lead to you misunderstanding test instructions, resulting in poor performance that does not reflect actual impairment.
Your knowledge can protect you from a wrongful OUI charge
Field sobriety tests are not entirely foolproof. Understanding how external factors can affect your performance may help you defend yourself in court against wrongful charges. This way, you may protect your interests and avoid facing an OUI.