What percentage accuracy did the San Diego study produce for the HGN test at a 0.08 BAC?

The San Diego study is significant in establishing the reliability of the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test as a field sobriety assessment tool. The study found that the HGN test demonstrated an accuracy of 88% in identifying individuals with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. This level of accuracy is critical because it indicates that the HGN test can effectively discern whether a driver is impaired due to alcohol, thus supporting its use in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.

The importance of this finding lies in its implications for law enforcement practices. A high accuracy rate means that officers can rely on the HGN test as a robust indicator of impairment, which can be pivotal during DUI investigations. By confirming that 88% of subjects with a BAC of 0.08 were accurately identified as impaired, the study supports the efficacy of the HGN test within the context of standardized field sobriety evaluations.