If you have been pulled over in your vehicle by a police officer, and they suspect that you have been drinking, they can demand a roadside sobriety test that includes testing for your blood alcohol. The standard method for testing one’s blood alcohol content, or BAC, in Alberta often referred to as a “breathalyzer” is called the Intoxilyzer, Alco-Sensor, or Alco-Sur.
These roadside testing devices can determine your BAC level on your breath. A failed result, or blow-over, on the roadside breathalyzer will result in the driver being taken directly into custody at a local police station. It is at this point that the accused will undergo a second breathalyzer test on an approved instrument such as a:
- Intoxilyzer
- Breathalyzer
- Intoximeter
- BAC Datamaster
- Testing For Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) In Alberta
As a resident holding a drivers license in Alberta, you are likely aware of the standard “legal limit” for blood alcohol as .08 BAC. Blowing over this limit on a standard breathalyzer will result in criminal charges for impaired driving. However, there have been significant changes to the provincial drinking and driving laws in 2012. These recent changes now dictate that simply blowing over .05 for a BAC will also result in substantial penalties for impaired driving.
Impaired driving laws may be also commonly known by Albertans as: Drunk Driving laws, DWI laws, or DUI laws. Impaired driving laws strictly require every driver to operate or have care and control of their motor vehicle with without impairment by alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving laws in Alberta clearly state that if you are put under custody for suspicion of inebriation, a qualified technician can demand a breath sample using the Intoxylizer 5000C.