What is the primary purpose of the SFSTs?

The primary purpose of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) is to create a standardized approach for sobriety evaluation. This is essential because standardized tests help ensure consistency and objectivity in assessing a person's level of impairment due to alcohol consumption or other substances. By having a uniform method, law enforcement officers can effectively compare results across different evaluations and provide clear evidence in legal settings.

While the SFSTs do incorporate elements of divided attention to assess how well a subject can perform multiple cognitive and physical tasks simultaneously, focusing solely on this aspect overlooks the broader objective of creating a systematic procedure for determining impairment. The importance of standardization lies in the necessity of generating reliable and valid results that can be upheld in court and used across various jurisdictions. This uniformity can significantly enhance the credibility of sobriety evaluations and support law enforcement in making informed decisions during traffic stops.