A police officer from the Dongdaemun Police Station in Seoul is conducting a sobriety test using a non-contact detection device. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Actress Kim Sae-ron (21) was caught by the police for drunk driving and requested a blood test, raising curiosity about why some drivers prefer blood testing (blood sampling) over breathalyzer testing (on-site alcohol measurement) during alcohol testing.
The breathalyzer method measures the alcohol concentration in the air exhaled from the driver's lungs to determine the alcohol concentration dissolved in the driver's blood at the time of measurement. If the driver disputes the results from the breathalyzer test, they can request the police officer to conduct a blood test for alcohol analysis.
In the case of Kim Sae-ron, who drove while intoxicated on the 18th, she blew into the on-site alcohol detector and tested positive, but later requested a blood test herself for a more accurate examination. Also, on April 4 last year, SBS announcer Kim Yoon-sang, who drove a passenger car while intoxicated in an apartment parking lot in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, requested a blood test.
Broadcaster Noh Hong-chul, who was caught drunk driving at the Seoul Customs Office intersection on November 8, 2014, also refused the breathalyzer test and requested a blood test.
At that time, he explained the reason for the blood test, saying, "I met with the police officer and explained the situation. I asked what the best choice was in that situation, and they said there was measurement and blood sampling, and if I chose blood sampling, I would have a week’s time." He added, "I thought I needed to buy a week to minimize damage because I had to do a broadcast. Although the alcohol level would be higher with blood sampling and the situation would be worse when returning, I had to make a decision for the moment, not the future."
Some drivers request blood tests because of the belief that their blood alcohol concentration will be lower than expected or that blood testing yields more favorable results than on-site measurements. However, blood alcohol concentration often appears higher in blood tests because it takes time to move to the hospital for blood sampling, allowing alcohol to spread further in the body.
The blood analysis method by blood sampling generally shows higher measurements than the breathalyzer method. When the results of the two methods do not match, the Supreme Court considers the blood analysis measurement to be more consistent with practical experience. Therefore, requesting a blood test after a breathalyzer shows a lower blood alcohol concentration can actually be disadvantageous.
Meanwhile, blood sampling without the driver's consent or blood alcohol test results obtained by visiting a hospital alone are, in principle, not permitted and are not recognized as evidence.
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