3 Types Of DUI Tests
Depending on your state, there are various types of DUI tests that you might face. These tests include blood tests and field sobriety tests. You might even face a test that is designed to measure your breath alcohol concentration.
1. Field Sobriety Tests
During a DUI stop, law enforcement officers may request a person to take Field Sobriety Tests. These tests test a person’s ability to follow directions and multitask. Performing these tests can be difficult, even if a person is not under the influence of alcohol.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. They are the Walk and Turn Test, One-Leg Stand Test, and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. These tests are validated by the NHTSA and can be used as evidence in a court case. If a person fails any of the tests, the officer can arrest them. Prosecutors rely on these tests to get a DUI conviction.
There are a variety of factors that could have contributed to a person’s failure during a field sobriety test. For example, the person’s physical limitations or extreme sleep deprivation could have prevented them from completing the tests. Another reason for failure could be poor hearing.
In addition, if the person’s condition makes it difficult for them to complete a test, the results may be deemed invalid. Other reasons for failure include uneven roads, poor weather, or high heels.
Despite their shortcomings, field sobriety tests do serve a purpose. They help law enforcement officers to determine if a person is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. However, they do not carry the same weight as other types of evidence.
2. Breathalyzer Test
Taking a breathalyzer test is a common practice in drunk driving cases. Unlike a blood test, a breathalyzer only measures the alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath of the driver. While a breathalyzer isn’t 100% accurate, it can provide a reasonable estimate of how much alcohol is in the driver’s system.
If you’re arrested for DUI, the officer will ask you to take a test of your breath. If you fail, you will have to provide a blood sample. This is a per se offense and is punishable by a fine and up to a year in jail.
The legal limit for blood-alcohol content is.08, but this doesn’t mean you’ll never get charged with DUI. If you’ve had two or more DUIs in five years, you’ll face the most serious consequences. Depending on your age, gender, and BAC level, you can expect a six-month license suspension for your first offense, a nine-month suspension for a second offense, and a 2.5-year suspension for a third offense.
Breath tests are only as accurate as the officer who administers them. If the officer makes a mistake, your results will be suspect. In addition, a Breathalyzer test isn’t always accurate, and malfunctions can skew the results.
A DUI defense attorney can challenge the accuracy of a breath test by pointing out the flaws in the test. While an alcohol breath test may be the best indicator of how much alcohol is in your system, it’s important to recognize that it’s just one of many tests that may be administered.
3. Blood Testing
Taking a blood test to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) is a common procedure, but it may not be the most accurate method. Depending on the level of intoxication, you may be required to take a chemical test that is more accurate.
There are a number of ways to challenge a blood test, but the best way to defend a DUI charge is to seek the help of an experienced DUI attorney. You could be facing a DUI conviction that could impact your life for years to come. A lawyer’s knowledge of blood-testing laws and scientific techniques could help you defend your case.
A blood sample can be taken for analysis without your consent, but there are a number of rules to follow. For instance, you don’t want to be caught driving drunk if you have hemophilia. You could also be required to take a chemical test if you are taking anticoagulant medications.
A DUI blood test is a good way to test for drugs and alcohol. Although blood tests are not as accurate as breath tests, they are more convenient and are typically conducted in a medical environment.
A blood test can be used to show a driver’s alcohol concentration at a specific time and place. The results are used to determine a driver’s BAC, which can help a prosecutor prove intoxication. Depending on the situation, a blood sample can be collected using a search warrant.
We invite you to contact us or call us today if you need a help from an experienced DUI attorney. Visit our blog for more related articles.