Why are Urine Tests the Least Reliable Chemical Test?

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.

• 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.
• 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.