Which of the following is NOT a clue officers look for during the HGN test?

During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, officers are specifically trained to observe certain indicators that can suggest impairment. The items that officers look for include distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, inability to follow the stimulus smoothly, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees.

The correct answer relates to the ability to maintain steady balance, which is not a specific clue evaluated during the HGN test itself. HGN focuses primarily on eye movement and how it reacts to a visual stimulus. While balance could be an important factor in assessing overall impairment, it is not one of the key indicators that officers analyze when performing the HGN test. Instead, the HGN test concentrates on the eye movements to make determinations about potential alcohol or drug influence.