What does a "field sobriety test" assess?

A field sobriety test primarily assesses a driver's physical and cognitive abilities to determine impairment, particularly in relation to alcohol or drug use. This is achieved through a series of standardized tasks designed to measure key skills necessary for safe driving, such as balance, coordination, judgment, and the ability to follow instructions.

These tests may include activities like walking in a straight line, standing on one leg, or the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, where an officer observes how the eyes track a moving object. The results help law enforcement officers evaluate whether a driver is impaired to the point that they may be unfit to operate a vehicle safely.

The other options focus on unrelated aspects like emotional state, legal efficacy, or vehicle condition, which do not directly assess the specific impacts of impairment on driving capabilities.