Drivers in Alabama who are pulled over by police on suspicion of driving under the influence have another issue to face. The state has passed a law requiring submission to saliva tests.
What is the new law?
In August 2021, a new law went into effect requiring all drivers suspected of DUI to submit to saliva tests. If a police officer suspects someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can stop them and order them to take a saliva test.
The new law falls under the category of implied consent, which states that all drivers voluntarily give consent to submit to tests to determine impairment when they apply for a driver’s license.
One senator work diligently for years to pass a bill that would require saliva testing for anyone suspected of DUI. He stated that many drivers arrested for the crime over the years were under the influence of drugs instead of alcohol.
What happens if a driver refuses to take the saliva test?
Drivers who refuse to submit to a saliva test face an array of penalties. It implies that they are guilty of a DUI. If a person is arrested on suspicion of DUI and refuses to take the saliva test, their driver’s license will automatically be suspended for three months. This is in line with the procedures and penalties drivers already face when they refuse to take a breathalyzer test if pulled over by a police officer.
The purpose of the new law and the saliva tests is to weed out the number of drivers who get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The law aims to make Alabama’s roads safer for everyone traveling on them. A DUI arrest is scary and can change your life. Protect your freedom diligently.
