When law enforcement officers pull you over on suspicion of impaired driving in Kentucky, they may ask you to perform field sobriety tests. Many people do not realize that the clothing and footwear they are wearing can significantly affect their ability to complete these tests successfully. Understanding this connection can be helpful if you ever find yourself in this situation.
How your footwear can affect field sobriety tests
Your shoes can have a major effect on your ability to balance yourself during certain tests. High heels, platform shoes, flip-flops and boots with thick soles can make balance-related tests much more difficult even when you are completely sober. The walk-and-turn test requires you to walk forward in a line, taking heel-to-toe steps. Depending on your footwear, this task can become much more difficult.
The one-leg stand test presents similar challenges. This test requires you to stand on 1 foot while holding the other foot several inches off the ground. Attempting this in heels or loose-fitting shoes puts you at an immediate disadvantage.
Officers are trained to consider footwear when administering standardized field sobriety tests, although individual circumstances and practices may vary. They generally allow you to remove footwear with heels higher than two inches.
Why your clothing choices may impact your performance
Tight or restrictive clothing can also interfere with your ability to perform field sobriety tests properly. A narrow skirt can make it difficult to take the required steps during the walk-and-turn test. Thick outerwear such as coats and jackets can limit mobility.
Long dresses or oversized pants that drag on the ground can create tripping hazards during these tests. Even something as simple as a tight waistband or belt can make it uncomfortable to maintain certain positions, which may affect your performance for reasons unrelated to impairment.
Understanding what may influence your performance
Clothing, footwear and testing conditions can all influence how you perform during field sobriety tests. Knowing these factors can help you recognize that performance during a test may be affected by more than just impairment. If you are asked to complete these tests, remembering details about your shoes, clothing, surroundings and the testing process may help provide a clearer picture of what occurred and protect your interests.