The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Battery was validated at the 0.10% blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) in 1981. Since then, many states have reduced statutory limits for driving while intoxicated to 0.08% BAC. This paper presents results from a field study that was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the battery to assist police officers when making arrest decisions at below 0.10% BAC. During routine patrols, participating officers followed study procedures in administering SFSTs, scoring results, making arrest/no arrest decisions, and completing a data collection form for each of the 297 motorists evaluated during the study period. The officers' final step in each case was the administration of an evidentiary breath alcohol test. Overall, officers' decisions were correct in more than 91% of the cases at the 0.08% BAC level. Cohen's kappa tests found all officers' scores to be within the categories of "substantial" and "near perfect" agreement, indicating low variance among the officers and a high degree of interrater reliability. The results of this study provide statistically significant evidence of the validity of the SFST Battery as an accurate and reliable decision aid for discriminating between BACs above and below 0.08%. Although all components of the SFST battery should be administered whenever possible, the data indicates that the horizontal gaze nystagmus test alone can provide valid indications to support arrest decisions at 0.08% BAC.
Samenvatting