The drivers who refuse to take a field sobriety test or chemical test are prosecuted and ultimately risk remaining without a driver’s license.
Under the Penal Code, the refusal to take a blood, breath, urine or field sobriety test to have intoxication gauged is punished with 200 to 240 hours of community service, in both cases with depriving of the right to drive units of transport.
Contacted by IPN for details, Natalia Golovco, press officer of the National Public Security Inspectorate, said that 745 cases of refusal were recorded last year. The decision in the case of such drivers is taken by the court of law. The Inspectorate does not possess relevant statistics.
“The drivers can be subject to sobriety testing during such special operations as “White Nights” and during ordinary checks. Such tests are also administered in case of road accidents. If the drivers refuse to be tested with a Drager device, they can opt for chemical testing. The motorists must obey the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations and not drink alcohol before driving and also must not avoid taking a sobriety test,” stated Natalia Golovco.
The lowest level of alcohol intoxication is blood alcohol content of 0.3 to 0.5 g/l or breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 to 0.3 mg/l. The highest level of alcohol intoxication is blood alcohol content of 0.5 g/l and more or breath alcohol concentration of 0.3 mg/l and more.
