Why are Urine Tests the Least Reliable Chemical Test?
Posted on Nov 19, 2016 10:40am PST
If an officer pulls you over for drunk driving, he or she will have you
take a chemical test—either a blood, breath, or urine test. Most
DUI experts agree that urine testing is the least accurate of the three
BAC testing procedures. Why is that? Our
Ventura DUI defense attorney explains what you should know and how taking a urine test can actually
help your case.
Why is the urine test not very accurate?
The function and design of the bladder is to store liquid, including alcohol,
until it is emptied. Because of this, the bladder does not accurately
depict the shift blood alcohol concentration of the body at any given
moment. This can either help or hurt the driver in a DUI case.
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Drinking recently. In situations when the driver recently drank before getting behind the
wheel, it is possible that the alcohol has not yet reached the bladder.
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Drinking earlier. If you drink earlier in the day but do not relieve yourself, the chances
are that your BAC from a urine test would be much higher than it might
actually be.
The varying BAC level of a urine test is what makes them unpredictable
and inaccurate. If you choose to take a urine test over the other forms
of chemical testing, some police officers might make you take two urine
tests about 20 minutes apart for this reason.
Understanding how chemical testing works can help you better understand
what test will be most likely to help your case. The inaccuracy of the
urine test makes it a good choice for those you have been pulled over
for “drunk driving.”
If you or your loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence
in Ventura,
call The Law Offices of Robert F. Sommers today.