How is a breathalyzer test administered?

In California, breathalyzer tests are administered by a law enforcement officer in order to determine the blood alcohol content (BAC) of a person suspected of driving under the influence (DUI). During the test, the person is asked to blow into a breathalyzer device. The device then measures the amount of alcohol present in the person’s breath and displays the result. The legal BAC limit in California is 0.08%, meaning if the person’s BAC is higher than that, they could be facing a DUI charge. The breathalyzer test is usually administered in two different ways. The first type is called an “evidential breath test” and is administered at the scene of a DUI stop or accident. The officer will ask the person to blow into the breathalyzer machine in order to measure their BAC. If the result is higher than 0.08%, the officer can then place the person under arrest for a DUI charge. The second type of test is called a “preliminary alcohol screening” or PAS test. This test is conducted when a person refuses to submit to an evidential breath test. The officer will ask the person to blow into a handheld breathalyzer device. If the result is higher than 0.08%, the officer can then make a probable cause arrest for a DUI charge. Overall, breathalyzer tests are administered by a law enforcement officer during a DUI stop or accident in order to determine the person’s BAC. The results of the test are then used to determine whether the person should be arrested for a DUI.

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How is a breathalyzer test administered?

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