SFST One Leg Stand 5

Question 1

In a DUI trial, an officer testifies that the defendant exhibited 3 of 4 OLS clues. According to NHTSA research, what does this suggest about the likelihood of impairment?

Accepted Answer

Two or more clues indicate a high probability of BAC at or above the legal limit

Answer

NHTSA research establishes that two or more OLS clues are associated with a high probability that the subject's BAC is at or above 0.10.

Question 2

An officer administers OLS on a sloped roadway shoulder. How does this affect the test results?

Accepted Answer

It may produce false clues unrelated to impairment and should be noted

Answer

Uneven or sloped surfaces can cause balance difficulty independent of impairment, potentially generating invalid clues that must be documented.

Question 3

When does the officer begin counting the 30-second OLS period?

Accepted Answer

When the subject raises their foot off the ground

Answer

The 30-second timing begins when the subject actually lifts their foot, marking the start of the balancing phase.

Question 4

A defense attorney argues that OLS is not scientifically valid. What is the strongest counter-argument based on NHTSA history?

Accepted Answer

OLS was developed and validated through NHTSA-sponsored laboratory and field studies in the late 1970s

Answer

The OLS test was developed through systematic NHTSA-funded research in the late 1970s and has been repeatedly validated in subsequent studies.

Question 5

If a subject refuses to perform the OLS test, what should the officer do?

Accepted Answer

Note the refusal, document observations, and consider other evidence of impairment

Answer

A refusal is documented and may itself be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt, but officers rely on all available observations.

(SFST) Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Certified Practice Test

(SFST) Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Certified Practice Test

SFST One Leg Stand 5