Sobriety Tests

After a police officer has conducted a traffic stop and suspects a DUI violation, he or she will conduct one or more tests to determine whether or not the motorist is impaired. Usually the process begins with a field sobriety test, in which the officer asks the driver to perform a set of tasks that would be difficult for a drunk driver to complete. The officer then uses an instrument to measure an individual's blood-alcohol concentration (BAC), most commonly called a breathalyzer. This section covers a range of topics pertaining to sobriety tests and their use as evidence in a DUI case.

Learn About Sobriety Tests

BAC Test FAQs
The first thing a police officer must do at a DUI stop is to determine how intoxicated the driver is, and one of the best ways to do that is to discover a driver's blood-alcohol content (BAC). This article has some useful information on the different types of BAC tests.
Breathalyzer Calibration
A blood-alcohol reading is only valid if the blood-alcohol testing device was properly calibrated. Read about the steps police must take to ensure their readings are accurate.
Can I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test?
If you have been pulled over for a DUI stop, it might be tempting to refuse to take a breathalyzer test. Learn the pros and cons of refusing the test in this informative article.

Field Sobriety Tests
Aside from breath, blood, and urine tests, law enforcement have a number of ways to gauge how drunk a driver is. This article describes the various field sobriety tests police have at their disposal.
Implied Consent Laws
In some cases, you can refuse to take a breathalyzer test, but many states have implied consent laws, where you are deemed to have consented to take these test simply by driving.
No-Refusal DUI Enforcement
Aside from implied consent laws, many states have decided to enforce “no-refusal” laws about sobriety tests. Learn about these controversial laws and how they might impact you.

Sobriety Tests Articles