Is a Reading of 19 Considered Drunk Driving?
1 Answers
According to laws and regulations, if a driver is caught by traffic police for drunk driving and the breathalyzer reading is below 20, no penalty will be imposed, and the driver will be exempt from punishment. Therefore, a reading of 19 is not considered drunk driving, but the driver may receive a warning or education. Typically, if the breathalyzer shows around 19, the traffic police may ask the driver to wait for a while before retesting or may conduct an on-site blood test. This is because the police are uncertain whether the alcohol level has peaked and need further confirmation. Additional details are as follows: 1. Breathalyzer: It can serve as one of the criteria for determining drunk driving. If the driver meets the standard for drunk driving after the breath test, the traffic police will print out the test results, and the data will be uploaded to the relevant system. Regardless of whether a blood test is conducted later, the breath test results can be considered valid if two traffic police officers are present during the test or if the driver signs to confirm the results. Therefore, a breath test alone, without a blood test, can be used to determine drunk driving. 2. If the alcohol level exceeds 80mg/100ml: The traffic police will definitely require the driver to undergo a blood test, as this constitutes the crime of drunk driving, and criminal liability will be pursued according to the law. During sentencing, the blood test results will be required as evidence. Therefore, drivers suspected of drunk driving must undergo a blood test and may also be detained, depending on the local traffic police's penalty procedures.
