A person who is stopped for the suspicion of drunk driving will have to undergo a form of testing to determine how much alcohol is in his or her blood. Many people think of breath tests when they are thinking about determining the blood alcohol concentration of a person. That isn't the only form of testing that law enforcement officers can use when they need to learn a person's BAC.
What are the types of BAC tests available?
BAC can be determined using the breath test, urinalysis or a blood test. The breath test is the most commonly used test because the machine used to obtain the BAC reading is portable and small. Additionally, the test isn't considered invasive. Blood tests are also commonly used since this is the most accurate of the three options.
What happens if I refuse to take a test to determine BAC?
You can face legal consequences if you refuse to take a test to determine your BAC. Some people opt to refuse the testing because of the possibility of inaccuracies; however, that isn't a legally valid reason to avoid taking the test.
Why wouldn't results be accurate?
In some cases, the results of the tests can be false highs or lows depending on the amount of time that elapses between the traffic stop and the testing. Your diet, certain medical conditions and the presence of other substances like gasoline or mouthwash, can all affect the results of the test. If you think the BAC test results were incorrect, it is important to explore that possibility as part of your defense.
