Ask the DUI Expert: When Does Law Enforcement Administer the Blood Test Instead of the Breathalyzer Test?

This week, we ask Officer William Pelarenos: When does law enforcement administer the blood test instead of the breathalyzer test?

Officer Pelarenos: In every State, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are conducted in accordance with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) standards. But DUI laws vary from state to state, and police policies vary with each police dept.

Blood tests are usually requested as a result of a traffic crash, especially those involving personal injury or death. Blood and urine tests are also taken for drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs. Of course, the Officer has the right to administer an evidentiary breath test and then ask the driver to submit to blood and urine tests, no matter what type of DUI investigation is being conducted.

The majority of DUI arrests usually just use the breathalyzer test. 

Got a DUI question for Officer Pelarenos? Ask him at info@bactrack.com.