What occurs when an officer demonstrates reasonable cause for a DWI stop?

When an officer demonstrates reasonable cause for a DWI stop, it leads to the performance of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). This is a critical step in the DWI arrest process. The officer, having observed behavior that suggests impairment (such as erratic driving or other signs of intoxication), has the legal basis to assess the driver's level of intoxication more closely.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests provide a structured method for evaluating the driver’s coordination, balance, and overall ability to operate a vehicle safely. The tests typically include tasks like the Walk-and-Turn, One-Leg Stand, and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, which help the officer to gather evidence regarding the driver's sobriety. Successfully conducting these tests can either confirm suspicion of DWI or potentially clear the driver if they perform adequately.

The other options, while related to the overall DWI process, do not directly follow the establishment of reasonable cause in the same immediate manner. An arrest might occur if the tests indicate impairment, towing might happen depending on the situation with the vehicle, and documentation such as tickets or reports is generally issued later in the process, not directly after showing reasonable cause.