Final answer:
The Field Sobriety Test (FST) is used to assess whether drivers are under the influence of alcohol and to evaluate their coordination and balance which involves the cerebellum. A cerebellum affected by ethanol impairs a person's ability to maintain coordination, indicating possible intoxication. FSTs help ensure road safety and consider long-term vulnerability to alcoholism in certain professions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for the Field Sobriety Test
Two primary reasons for conducting a Field Sobriety Test (FST) are to assess whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol and to evaluate their coordination and balance, which involves the cerebellum. The cerebellum plays a significant role in coordinated movements, such as maintaining balance while walking, and it is particularly sensitive to ethanol, the type of alcohol found in beverages like beer, wine, and liquor. Hence, during an FST, if a person has difficulty in performing tasks that require coordination and balance, it may indicate the influence of alcohol on their cerebellum.
FSTs serve as a preliminary test before more definitive chemical testing. They are crucial for ensuring road safety and preventing accidents caused by impaired driving. The results of FSTs can also be notable given that certain professions, such as police officers, have been found to exhibit an increased vulnerability to alcohol-related issues over time according to studies like the one by Beutler, Nussbaum, and Meredith (1988), which could be a factor considered during FST assessments.