What is one of the main purposes of a field sobriety test?

One of the main purposes of a field sobriety test is to evaluate a driver’s level of impairment. These tests are designed to provide law enforcement officers with observable behaviors and physical indicators that suggest whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Field sobriety tests typically include tasks that assess coordination, balance, and the ability to follow instructions. By observing a driver's performance on these tasks, officers can determine whether there is sufficient evidence to suspect that the driver is impaired.

This evaluation is crucial because it aids in establishing probable cause for an arrest or further testing, such as a breathalyzer or blood test, to quantify blood alcohol concentration. The focus is specifically on how impairment affects the driver's capability to operate a vehicle safely, which is central to road safety and DWI enforcement.

The other options touch on aspects that do not relate directly to the primary function of field sobriety tests, focusing instead on identification or unrelated offenses, which are not the main objectives of these evaluations.