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The Dark Side of Drunk Driving Tests: Do You Know These Tests Are Really Accurate?
Drunk driving testing, known as the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST), is a series of tests that police conduct when they suspect a driver is impaired. The primary purpose of these tests is to assess whether a suspect is unable to drive safely due to alcohol or other drugs. Although drunk driving tests are widely used in the United States, their accuracy and subjectivity have caused much controversy.
Background
Driving while impaired (DUI or DWI) is the act of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to statistics, traffic accidents caused by drunk driving cost the United States approximately $37 billion each year, and among young people, DUI has become one of the leading causes of death. Traditionally, a driver's alcohol concentration (BAC) has been used to determine whether a driver is drunk, but how to accurately measure this can be a thorny issue.
The history of drunk driving tests
The development of drunk driving testing began in the 1970s, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sought to develop a standardized test to assist police in suspect assessment. While these tests have gained some acceptance, questions remain about their scientific evidence base.
The use and purpose of testing
The purpose of a drunk driving test is primarily to establish "reasonable grounds for arrest." This is vital in supporting the prosecution's evidence in court. However, the subjectivity of the test and the judgment of law enforcers also means the results can be affected.
Standards for drunk driving testing
The Standardized Drunk Driving Test (SFST) consists of three main tests: the Horizontal Gaze Tremor Test, the Walking Turn Test, and the One-Leg Stand Test. Although these tests are standardized, there are still implementation variables.
Horizontal gaze tremor test (HGN)
This is the first test conducted by law enforcement and is mainly concerned with the eye movements of suspects. Law enforcers looked for cues involving gaze smoothness and pronounced tremors. However, some research shows that even fully sober people can be misjudged as drunk on such tests.
Walking Turn Test (WAT)
This test requires the suspect to take nine steps in a straight line and must follow specific instructions. Law enforcement officers observe the suspect's balance and compliance with instructions. It's worth noting that this test may not be fair to people with physical disabilities.
One-leg standing test (OLS)
The suspect must stand on one leg for 30 seconds to test balance and coordination. Like other tests, the results of this test can be questioned due to a variety of factors.
Limitations and Accuracy of Testing
The accuracy of drunk driving tests is affected by many factors, such as the subjective judgment of law enforcement officers and design flaws in the test itself. Many studies have shown that in the absence of alcohol, many subjects are still misjudged as drunk for various reasons. This situation is extremely unfair to those motorists who are truly innocent.
Research shows that there are many reasons why subjects perform poorly, including physical condition, age, overweight, etc., which may affect the test results.
Additionally, many law enforcement agencies do not perform these tests in a standardized manner, which means test results are interpreted and processed differently even in similar situations. Until now, the scientific basis of these tests has been questioned and has not been subject to rigorous peer review.
Finally, how to solve the limitations of these tests and ensure fair law enforcement may be an urgent issue in the future legal system?
