Kentucky Officers look at many different things when running a field sobriety test. They do not examine your performance alone. They are also looking for other potential signs of intoxication. If they see these signs in conjecture with poor performance, they may be able to arrest you. This is a probable cause to arrest. 

FieldSobrietyTests.org examine potential reasons that an officer may arrest you. They have probable cause to arrest if they notice physical signs of intoxication. This can include sights, sounds or smells they notice. 

The first thing they look for is bloodshot eyes. Reddened eyes are a sign someone has been drinking. But glassy or red eyes are also a symptom of crying, allergies or fatigue. 

Slurred speech is next. Many studies support the claim that speech patterns change based on intoxication. Slurring is a common change. But not everyone exhibits these changes. They also do not show as well at lower levels of intoxication. Neurological disorders and stress can also contribute to slurring problems. 

Finally, officers will often check for the smell of alcohol on the subject’s breath. Though this may seem like a surefire way to detect someone driving under the influence, it is not. Studies show there is no strong link between a subject’s blood alcohol content and the smell of alcohol. 

Probable causes to arrest are all subjective. They come from a single officer’s observations. Even when used with field sobriety test results, their accuracy is not guaranteed. This can and has led to false flags before, which can create major problems for people facing DUI charges.