5 ms·

At least in Norway these are only used as an indicator not evidence, they take the suspected drunk into custody and draw a blood test. If the test show no alcoh

by tyfon 7y ago

At least in Norway these are only used as an indicator not evidence, they take the suspected drunk into custody and draw a blood test. If the test show no alcohol then the person is released. None of these field tests are accurate, not for alcohol nor drugs.

Hamuko 7y ago
Same thing in Finland. They might also drag your ass to a blood test if you refuse to do the breath test and they don't have anything else to do.
- bdcravens 7y ago
  In the US, they typically have a judge on call to sign warrants for blood draws.
  - mrguyorama 7y ago
    That's fixed in my state. If you do not consent to a blood draw (if you already refuse breathalyzer), then you forfeit your right to a motor vehicle license. You are not convicted of a crime, but you can't drive.
projektfu 7y ago
In the US there are usually two separate offenses, one being driving intoxicated as evidenced by your actions and failing a field sobriety test. The other is being over the limit on BAC. There’s a third violation, refusing a blood or breathalyzer test, that results in immediate suspension of the license, but it’s not a felony. In some states like NY there’s also a misdemeanor, driving with ability impaired, for those with BAC between 0.04 and 0.08. In most states these are all prima facie evidence of a crime.
- sys_64738 7y ago
  Field sobriety tests are designed to make everybody fail and should always be declined.
  - tyfon 7y ago
    Yeah, I've seen those tests on "cops". I drink maybe two bottles of beer in a year and I'm sure I would have failed some of those tests like saying the alphabet backwards!
    - H8crilA 7y ago
      Lol is that a thing? Say the alphabet backwards?
      - tyfon 7y ago
        Sure is.. Here is one that has been practising just that [1]. The cop even remarks on how she's never seen anyone do that! [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beNPsSRV_5U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beNPsSRV_5U
        anonymfus 7y ago
        Comments under this video claim that this scene is from comedy TV series "Reno 911".
        learc83 7y ago
        That's from the TV show Reno 911.
        hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
        Lol. That is from Reno 911, unfortunately it left out the last part which is awesome: https://youtu.be/D6VQDNIZH7U https://youtu.be/D6VQDNIZH7U All these people arguing over "recite the alphabet backwards" but AFAIK no actual, non-comedy-show police department uses that as a sobriety test.
    - kss238 7y ago
- loeg 7y ago
  In some (many?) states, you can request a blood draw in lieu of field breathalyzer (without losing your license). It's usually the better option in that situation.
  - projektfu 7y ago
    I think that’s right, that the only one you risk your license for is the one at the station.
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
- dragonwriter 7y ago
  > In the US there are usually two separate offenses, one being driving intoxicated as evidenced by your actions and failing a field sobriety test. The other is being over the limit on BAC. Typically, they are one offense, which can be proven two different ways.
- stronglikedan 7y ago
  > There’s a third violation, refusing a blood or breathalyzer test, that results in immediate suspension of the license, but it’s not a felony. In some states, it is an additional felony.
  - dwd 7y ago
    In most Australian states, refusing the breath test without a valid doctor's certificate or attempting to avoid the test area and getting pulled over on a side street will result in far higher penalties - including jail time. The fine can be up to $4000 to $6000 - far higher than if you were just DUI.
dwd 7y ago
This is the same as most Australian states where failing a breathaliser results in leaving your car, handing over your keys and doing a blood test for a more accurate reading. You're fine to go if you're under; also the penalties vary on the reading so they need it to be fairly accurate. I was under the impression that it was common knowledge that the breath test is unreliable and never relied on in court as evidence. You also can't rely on the self-test kits if you think you might be over.

by tyfon 7y ago

Hamuko 7y ago

Same thing in Finland. They might also drag your ass to a blood test if you refuse to do the breath test and they don't have anything else to do.

bdcravens 7y ago
In the US, they typically have a judge on call to sign warrants for blood draws.
- mrguyorama 7y ago
  That's fixed in my state. If you do not consent to a blood draw (if you already refuse breathalyzer), then you forfeit your right to a motor vehicle license. You are not convicted of a crime, but you can't drive.

projektfu 7y ago

In the US there are usually two separate offenses, one being driving intoxicated as evidenced by your actions and failing a field sobriety test. The other is being over the limit on BAC. There’s a third violation, refusing a blood or breathalyzer test, that results in immediate suspension of the license, but it’s not a felony. In some states like NY there’s also a misdemeanor, driving with ability impaired, for those with BAC between 0.04 and 0.08. In most states these are all prima facie evidence of a crime.

sys_64738 7y ago
Field sobriety tests are designed to make everybody fail and should always be declined.
- tyfon 7y ago
  Yeah, I've seen those tests on "cops". I drink maybe two bottles of beer in a year and I'm sure I would have failed some of those tests like saying the alphabet backwards!
  - H8crilA 7y ago
    Lol is that a thing? Say the alphabet backwards?
    - tyfon 7y ago
      Sure is.. Here is one that has been practising just that [1]. The cop even remarks on how she's never seen anyone do that! [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beNPsSRV_5U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beNPsSRV_5U
      - anonymfus 7y ago
        Comments under this video claim that this scene is from comedy TV series "Reno 911".
      - learc83 7y ago
        That's from the TV show Reno 911.
      - hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
        Lol. That is from Reno 911, unfortunately it left out the last part which is awesome: https://youtu.be/D6VQDNIZH7U https://youtu.be/D6VQDNIZH7U All these people arguing over "recite the alphabet backwards" but AFAIK no actual, non-comedy-show police department uses that as a sobriety test.
  - kss238 7y ago
loeg 7y ago
In some (many?) states, you can request a blood draw in lieu of field breathalyzer (without losing your license). It's usually the better option in that situation.
- projektfu 7y ago
  I think that’s right, that the only one you risk your license for is the one at the station.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
dragonwriter 7y ago
> In the US there are usually two separate offenses, one being driving intoxicated as evidenced by your actions and failing a field sobriety test. The other is being over the limit on BAC. Typically, they are one offense, which can be proven two different ways.
stronglikedan 7y ago
> There’s a third violation, refusing a blood or breathalyzer test, that results in immediate suspension of the license, but it’s not a felony. In some states, it is an additional felony.
- dwd 7y ago
  In most Australian states, refusing the breath test without a valid doctor's certificate or attempting to avoid the test area and getting pulled over on a side street will result in far higher penalties - including jail time. The fine can be up to $4000 to $6000 - far higher than if you were just DUI.

dwd 7y ago

This is the same as most Australian states where failing a breathaliser results in leaving your car, handing over your keys and doing a blood test for a more accurate reading. You're fine to go if you're under; also the penalties vary on the reading so they need it to be fairly accurate. I was under the impression that it was common knowledge that the breath test is unreliable and never relied on in court as evidence. You also can't rely on the self-test kits if you think you might be over.