What is the purpose of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests?

The purpose of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) is to provide law enforcement officers with a systematic way to gather evidence regarding a person's level of impairment due to alcohol or drugs. When a driver is suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), these tests help officers assess whether the driver's behavior and physical coordination are impaired. By validating signs of impairment through a series of standardized tests, law enforcement can build a stronger case for arrest and prosecution, ensuring that any legal actions taken are backed by observational evidence.

Other options are not relevant to the primary objective of SFSTs. Checking for vehicle defects relates more to mechanical safety rather than impairment, assessing weather conditions is typically not a factor in determining sobriety, and ensuring a driver's license validity pertains to legal compliance but does not evaluate the driver's current state of impairment. Thus, the role of SFSTs is crucial in establishing evidence to support DUI charges based on the driver's physical and cognitive abilities at the time of the encounter.