When a police officer pulls you over on suspicion of impaired driving, they may ask you to perform field sobriety tests. However, these tests are not completely foolproof.
Your shoes and your clothing can affect your performance on field sobriety tests. Understanding how these factors can influence test results is important if you are stopped on suspicion of impaired driving in Kentucky.
How does your footwear affect your performance?
Your shoes play a crucial role in field sobriety tests, particularly the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests. High heels make maintaining balance extremely difficult, even for completely sober individuals. Platform shoes, flip-flops and worn-out shoes can make you lose your balance.
Kentucky officers learn how to account for footwear issues when they administer the standardized field sobriety tests. Officers should offer the opportunity for you to remove your footwear if you are wearing heels higher than two inches.
Why is it harder to do field sobriety tests in tight clothing?
Tight skirts, formal dresses and stiff jeans can restrict your range of motion during field sobriety tests. The walk-and-turn test requires you to take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn and return. Clothing that restricts your movement can make the test harder, even if you are sober.
Long coats or heavy jackets can affect your balance and make it harder for officers to observe your body movements clearly. Loose-fitting clothes might seem better, but extremely baggy pants or long skirts can catch under your feet and cause stumbling.
What options do you have during a traffic stop?
Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Kentucky. You can refuse these tests, but doing so may have consequences. If you choose to participate, you can politely request to remove your shoes or ask to perform the tests on a flatter surface.
Document your clothing and footwear if possible. Take note of what you were wearing and how it might have affected your performance. This information may help if you later challenge the test results. What you wear can affect your performance on field sobriety tests and may help explain poor results.
Your awareness can protect you from a wrongful charge
Field sobriety test results are not the final word on your case. It may help to take immediate action to protect your defense. Be sure to document your footwear and clothing while the details remain fresh. If you can, request any available dashcam or bodycam footage that shows what you wore during testing. Being aware of how your clothing affects your performance can help you respond and build a stronger defense.
