If you are pulled over for suspected impaired driving in Rhode Island, officers may ask you to perform field sobriety tests. What you are wearing at the time could significantly impact your ability to complete these tests successfully, even if you did not drink alcohol.

Footwear challenges during roadside testing

Your shoes can create serious obstacles when attempting field sobriety tests. High heels, platform shoes or boots with thick soles make balance-based tests extremely difficult to perform. Standardized tests such as the walk-and-turn generally require you to take heel-to-toe steps along a straight line, which becomes nearly impossible wearing certain footwear.

Similarly, the one-leg stand test demands stability that inappropriate shoes may be unable to provide. Even flip-flops or loose-fitting sandals can slip off or cause you to stumble. Under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards, officers will generally allow you to remove your footwear if you are wearing heels two inches or higher before testing.

How other clothing items may interfere

Beyond footwear, restrictive clothing might affect your performance during field sobriety tests. Tight skirts or dresses may limit your range of motion and make it harder to complete the physical movements officers request.

Heavy coats or bulky jackets are also capable of affecting your balance. This may make it difficult for officers to make accurate observations. Poor lighting conditions combined with dark clothing could make it harder for officers to see your movements clearly. This might lead to a misinterpretation of your actions during the tests.

The importance of documenting your circumstances

Keep in mind that officers might interpret your difficulty completing these tests as signs of impairment, regardless of whether clothing was the actual cause. In Rhode Island, documenting what you were wearing and how it affected the tests could provide you with evidence. This may be useful if you decide to challenge the results later.