Blood testPanama
178. Blood test
A blood test can be used to measure the concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood. A healthcare professional takes a blood sample, which is then analysed in a laboratory to determine the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In traffic enforcement, blood testing may be used when breath testing is impossible or unsuitable, after an accident or as a counter-analysis to a breath result. The circumstances in which a blood test can be required and the legal alcohol limits vary between countries.
What is an alcohol blood test?
An alcohol blood test measures the concentration of alcohol in a blood sample and provides a blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
🔗 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 a blood test different from a breath analysis?
A blood test measures alcohol directly in the blood, while a breath analysis measures alcohol in exhaled breath. Both can be used to determine whether a legal alcohol 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
Who takes the blood sample?
A blood sample used for legal testing is normally taken by an authorised healthcare professional and analysed according to an approved procedure.
🔗 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

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