Samenvatting
The standardised field sobriety tests (SFSTs) developed in the 1970s in the United States are often called into question by lawyers. This paper describes a study of the effectiveness of the tests. Data were gathered on the decisions taken by police officers and assigned to a four cell decision matrix. The accuracy of the tests were examined in the widely varying conditions of Colorado in winter, spring and summer. A graph is presented showing the accuracy of arrest and release decisions. It was found that overall, 84% of decisions were correct and that the weather did not have a strong effect.