Alcohol controlBrazil
197. Alcohol control
An alcohol control is a roadside check used to determine whether a driver has consumed alcohol and whether the legal alcohol limit has been exceeded. Police may use a screening device, breath test, breath analysis or, in some situations, a blood test. The exact procedure and legal limits vary between countries. Drivers must normally cooperate with authorised testing, and refusing a lawful alcohol test can itself lead to penalties.
What is an alcohol control?
An alcohol control is a police check used to determine whether a driver has consumed alcohol and whether the applicable legal limit has been exceeded.
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Road Traffic Act, Articles 59, 61bis, 62ter and 63; Belgian procedures
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 27 November 2015, saliva/blood sampling and laboratories
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, drugs and driving law; GB example
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 95–96, impairment; national guidance example
How is alcohol tested at the roadside?
Police commonly use a breath-testing device. Depending on the result and local procedure, a more precise breath analysis or blood test may follow.
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Road Traffic Act, Articles 59, 61bis, 62ter and 63; Belgian procedures
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 27 November 2015, saliva/blood sampling and laboratories
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, drugs and driving law; GB example
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 95–96, impairment; national guidance example
Can police test a driver who does not appear drunk?
In many countries, yes. Police may conduct random or routine alcohol checks without first observing obvious signs of intoxication.
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Road Traffic Act, Articles 59, 61bis, 62ter and 63; Belgian procedures
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 27 November 2015, saliva/blood sampling and laboratories
🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, drugs and driving law; GB example
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 95–96, impairment; national guidance example

Traffic rules
Brazil