What factors might influence the accuracy of an SFST aside from alcohol?

The accuracy of a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) can indeed be significantly influenced by the effects of various drugs. Different substances, such as illicit drugs or prescription medications, can impair motor skills, cognitive functions, and overall physical coordination, much like alcohol does. This impairment can lead to misleading results when officers are assessing a subject’s sobriety based solely on these tests, as the standard indicators of impairment may not solely stem from alcohol consumption.

In contrast, while factors such as cultural background, time of day, and weather conditions can have some impact on performance during SFSTs, they do not directly correlate with physiological impairment in the same way that drugs do. Cultural context may affect a person's understanding or compliance with the instructions of the tests, but it does not inherently influence the impairment level. Similarly, the time of day and weather conditions can influence a person's performance due to fatigue or environmental factors, but again, these are secondary concerns compared to the direct physiological effects that drugs have on a person's ability to perform tasks. Therefore, focusing specifically on the effects of various drugs provides a clearer understanding of the factors that can genuinely alter a subject's performance on SFSTs.