What is a key factor in the reliability of the SFST results?

Consistency in test administration is crucial for the reliability of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) results. This consistency ensures that each test is conducted following established protocols, which includes the order in which tests are presented and the manner in which they are administered. Variations in how tests are conducted can lead to different outcomes for similar levels of impairment, compromising the integrity of the results.

Maintaining a consistent approach allows law enforcement officers to better assess an individual's level of impairment accurately. This is important not only for the officer's judgment during traffic stops but also for the potential legal implications of the results, as they must withstand scrutiny in court.

Other factors, such as the location where the tests are administered or the type of sobriety checkpoints used, can introduce variables that may affect the results but are not as fundamental to the integrity of the test process itself. The number of tests administered, while potentially beneficial for gathering more data, does not contribute to the reliability of any single test's outcome. Therefore, consistency in how the tests are performed is the cornerstone of ensuring that the findings are valid and defensible.