North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

At what age does a person typically find it more difficult to pass the field sobriety test?

1. 55

2. 60

3. 65

4. 70

The correct answer is: 65

Field sobriety tests are designed to assess a person's ability to perform tasks that require a high degree of coordination, balance, and cognitive function. As individuals age, they often experience a natural decline in these abilities, which can be attributed to a variety of physical and cognitive changes. At 65 years of age, many individuals may start to face challenges with mobility, vision, reaction times, and balance, all of which are critical components of the field sobriety test. For example, the ability to complete tasks like standing on one leg or walking in a straight line can be significantly affected by age-related factors such as decreased muscle strength, joint stiffness, or diminished sensory perception. Therefore, for individuals around this age, passing a field sobriety test may become more difficult because their overall physical and cognitive abilities don't match those of younger individuals. This increased difficulty at this age highlights the importance of considering age factors when interpreting field sobriety test results. It's worth noting that older individuals may also have medical conditions or take medications that can further impair their performance on these tests.