Being free to choose your own destiny is a great feeling. You’re in charge of your life; you get a say in everything from what you’re having for dinner to what you want to be when you grow up. Even better, once you make a choice, you can change your mind – usually without consequence. But, when it comes to your choice to drink and drive in California, you could be confronted with a DUI traffic stop where your choices are much more limited. Especially when it comes to refusing a breathalyzer test.
California is one of many “no refusal” states in the U.S. that requires any person suspected of drinking and driving to submit a breath, blood or urine sample to determine the amount of alcohol they’ve had to drink. If you refuse a breathalyzer test in California, you’re looking at an immediate arrest for DUI, much like the man in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKh5WpB1Q8s&feature=youtu.be
Did You Know: when you applied for a driver’s license in California, you gave your “implied consent” to provide a sample of your breath, blood or urine if you are suspected of drinking and driving. When you refuse the test you agreed to, you are in violation. That’s why “no refusal” laws are gaining in popularity across the country.
When you refuse the breathalyzer or chemical test, your license will be immediately suspended for one year. Once you make it to court, you could be required to install a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock device in order to restore your ability to drive. Plus, you have to take care of any other DUI-related restrictions and consequences, on top of your “no refusal” violation.
When you first got your California driver’s license, you chose to follow the rules of the road. By making that same choice each day, you’re ensuring that “no refusal” laws won’t compromise your freedom and that the California roads will be one person safer, too.
What Are Your Risk Factors for Drunk Driving?