Learning More About Blood Alcohol Testing

Blood alcohol testing is one of the most accurate ways of finding out how much alcohol someone has in their body and it's most of the times a method used in order to determine the intoxication level of drivers. The good news is that blood alcohol levels will register quite fast and there are different factors that will influence the results. Most of the times these tests will be demanded by the police officers if drivers are suspected to have consumed alcohol or if they have been involved in an accident.

Function -  There are a few reasons to why such tests are used, one of them being the fact that they can pinpoint a drunken driver and absolve an individual who is suspected of drunken driving. However, there are also cases when medical conditions like diabetes or hypoglycemia cause symptoms which can easily imitate unclear thinking and alcoholic confusion. In general, such tests are used by program directors and the police to find out if individuals who are on programs for alcohol and drug abuse cheat.

Results - People need to know that alcohol will peak in blood alcohol tests around sixty minutes after they drink, yet if individuals ate, this will slow down the process. After taking the test, the result will show whether the individual has ethanol in his or her system, which is basically alcohol. The test is normal if there is none present.

Identification - For the definition of legal intoxication, each state has its own rules. Plenty of them rely on the reading of point zero eight blood alcohol concentration or BAC as the point where individuals can be retained for legal purposes. It seems that this value is also the recommended level by the NHTSA for all Blood Alcohol Testing procedures.

Size - The person's size and other factors directly influence the amount of alcohol in the blood, even if one has the same amount of alcohol as his or her friend. For instance, a person weighing 120 pounds can have 2 drinks per hour and register a point zero eight in the majority of states. A friend of the individual though may weigh 140 pounds and still be under the legal limit.

Time Frame - The amount of drinks people have and their blood alcohol level are also influenced by the amount of time it takes the individual to drink the alcoholic beverages. So if someone has just 3 drinks in the evening, but they were all at closing time, it's best for that person to call a taxi. But if they were spaced over a four hour timeframe, there is little potential for a high BAC.

Party Smart - Drinking alcoholic beverages can be potentially fatal in vehicle accidents, but also as an overdose. The lethal blood level is point four, but individuals may die at lower levels as well. The bad news is that alcohol poisoning has no antidote, but just treatment to keep the individual alive while he or she is displaying the related symptoms.

With that being said, it's best that people think twice before drinking and driving, because getting behind the wheel not only puts their personal safety at risk, but also that of others.  Besides that, it puts your future into question because of hefty fines, jail times, and other penalties.  If you get arrested for drunken driving make sure you hire an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the process.

What You Need To Know About Field Sobriety Tests

The field sobriety test is usually used by the police on drivers who are doubted of driving under the influence of alcohol and during the routine checks in a location where there are many cases of drunken driving with wounds. For police officers who try their best to serve the citizens of the state by ensuring that they are safe, this is very useful for local car driver and this can offer travelers the safety they require against drunk driving states. As the total number of car accidents and even deaths continue to increase, it is good for offers to look out for people driving under the influence.

A field sobriety test generally includes mental and physical examination that assists in knowing the level of intoxication of a driver who is drunk. The test normally involves a number of questions and actions to establish coherence, body coordination and balance of an individual if he is qualified to drive. All this is usually done in order to avoid the probability of drunken driving injuries. In addition, these tests are usually done by police officers constantly in most states in order to keep an eye on people who drive while they are drunk.

There are different categories of field sobriety tests. One example is one leg stand test. This is where an individual is told to stand on one leg at least for 30 seconds as they count loudly. The other feet must be 6 inches off the ground. If you try to support yourself by balancing the arms, you will end up failing the test. In addition, putting your foot down will indicate that you have failed the test.

Secondly, there is walk-and turn test. In this test, an individual is required to take at least 9 heels to toe steps on a straight line. After you have finished the 9 steps, you are required to take other 9 steps in order to get back from where you started. If you are unable to touch heel to the toe, use your arms in maintaining balance or you take less or more steps contrary to what the police officer has initiated, it will be concluded that you have been all along been driving under the influence of alcohol.

Lastly, there is horizontal gaze nystagmus test also abbreviated as HGN. Even though this test does not test your balance, it normally looks for some signs of inebriation. A police general will take an item such as a pen then instruct you to follow it using your eyes without moving the head. The object will be held one feet from your face and then move it backwards and forth. What is usually looked at in this test is trembling or jerky eyes which is a sign that you have been drinking.

On top of the above test, there are other tests that an individual will be told to carry out like reciting the alphabet. Even though the reliability and validity of field sobriety tests is doubtful, drivers have to be well versed that most officers use them in determining of an individual has alcohol in his or her blood.

Visit our website for information regard DUI laws in Michigan at www.theclarklawoffice.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/drunk-driving.html