What is the main purpose of conducting field sobriety tests?

The main purpose of conducting field sobriety tests is to assess impairment. These tests are utilized by law enforcement officers to evaluate whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which can affect their ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Field sobriety tests typically include tasks designed to measure an individual's balance, coordination, and cognitive functions, such as following instructions and performing physical maneuvers. The results of these tests, combined with other observations, help officers form a determination about a driver’s level of impairment. This assessment is crucial because impaired driving significantly increases the risk of accidents and injuries on the road.

Conducting these tests is not focused on measuring speed, inspecting vehicle safety, or determining license validity. Each of these aspects serves different functions within traffic law enforcement, but they do not directly relate to examining the driver's level of impairment, which is the primary goal of field sobriety tests.