When law enforcement officers in Oklahoma stop drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence, they often use field sobriety tests to look for signs of impairment. Many people do not realize that clothing and footwear can influence how well they perform these tests, even when they are sober.
The role of footwear in your performance
Your shoes can make a big difference during standardized field sobriety tests. The walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand test both require balance and coordination. High heels can make these tests much harder. Even heels higher than two inches may change your balance and make it more difficult to walk heel to toe or stand on one foot. Platform shoes, wedges and thick-soled boots also can interfere with your natural movement and stability.
Flip-flops and loose sandals create different challenges. They can slip off or force you to grip them with your toes, which may change the way you walk. Worn-out shoes with smooth soles also may increase the risk of slipping, especially on wet or uneven pavement.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines recommend that officers allow drivers to remove shoes with heels higher than two inches or thick soles before administering standardized field sobriety tests. Even so, walking barefoot on rough pavement, gravel or cold surfaces can create new challenges that may influence your performance.
How clothing restricts movement
Your clothing also can affect how well you complete roadside tests. Tight skirts or dresses may limit your stride during the walk-and-turn test. Heavy coats or bulky jackets may change your balance, while tight pants may restrict movement. Loose clothing also may block an officer’s view of your movements, which could affect how the officer interprets your performance.
Understanding test limitations
The NHTSA developed standardized field sobriety tests under controlled conditions, and many outside factors can influence the results. Footwear, medical conditions, uneven pavement and weather all may affect performance. The NHTSA also recognizes that heels higher than 2 inches can reduce the reliability of these tests.
Bad weather can make the tests even harder. Rain-soaked clothing may become heavy, and cold temperatures may cause shivering or muscle tension that affects balance and coordination.
Protecting your interests during a traffic stop
What you wear can influence field sobriety test results in Oklahoma, even if you are not impaired. High heels, restrictive clothing and certain types of shoes may create real physical challenges during testing.
Officers may consider these factors when evaluating performance, but they may not always do so. If field sobriety tests become part of a DUI case, think about whether your clothing or footwear could have influenced the results and document what you wore during the traffic stop.