Common Myths About Beating Breathalyzer Tests
When it comes to breathalyzers, there are a lot of myths about what they are capable of. There are also a lot of urban legends out there about how someone might be able to go about “beating” a roadside breathalyzer test. The information below should help dispel some of these myths by providing factual information about these devices.
Myth:
Using breath mints, breath freshening spray, or mouthwash can result in a lower blood-alcohol content reading.
Reality:
Even though breath fresheners may slightly mask the smell of alcohol, they can’t prevent the breathalyzer from detecting its presence. In fact, alcohol-based mouthwashes can even result in higher BAC results, which is exactly the opposite of what most people who use these techniques are trying to achieve.
Myth:
Putting a penny under your tongue will fool the breathalyzer, allowing you to beat the test.
Reality:
Contrary to popular belief, putting a penny under your tongue or any other type of money in your mouth has absolutely no impact on the breathalyzer results. The same goes for charcoal pills, herbal remedies, or garlic.
Myth:
Breathalyzers have a harder time detecting alcohol on the breath of smokers than non-smokers.
Reality:
The lungs of smokers contain higher levels of an organic compound known as acetaldehyde. Inexpensive breathalyzers can be impacted by exceedingly high levels of acetaldehyde. The professional-grade breathalyzers used by the police, however, are not affected at all. Professional-grade breathalyzers are more than capable of getting an accurate reading, even if a lot of this compound is present.
Myth:
Changing your breathing patterns by holding your breath, exercising, or hyperventilating prior to your breathalyzer test can lower the results.
Reality:
It is true that one study done decades in the past discovered that subjects who hyperventilated or who performed vigorous exercise prior to taking a breathalyzer test were able to lower their BAC readings by up to 10%. Holding their breath, on the other hand, increased the readings by as much as 20%. In the real world, however, this technique is not practical. If you were to hold your breath for a long period of time or hyperventilate, a police officer would definitely notice. Don’t try to beat the test by blowing softly, either. Modern breathalyzers are designed to use minuscule samples of breath, meaning that even if you don’t blow hard they can still get an accurate reading.
Myth:
The results of a breathalyzer test can be used in the courtroom.
Reality:
Breathalyzer test results can’t necessarily be used in the courtroom. These tools are primarily used to help police officers determine whether or not someone who is suspected of driving drunk is under the influence of alcohol. From a legal standpoint, however, these results aren’t always admissible in a courtroom setting.
Myth:
Breathalyzer test results are completely accurate.
Reality:
While today’s breathalyzers are better than ever at detecting alcohol in someone’s breath, the accuracy isn’t always as good as it should be. There are two basic types of breathalyzers on the market those that are designed for personal use and those that are designed to be used by professionals.
In terms of accuracy, professional-grade breathalyzers are far superior. These breathalyzers take advantage of the same type of fuel sensor technology that can be found in the breathalyzers used by police officers. Fuel cell devices have become much more affordable in the recent past. Because of that, more and more people are purchasing them for their own use.
Most personal breathalyzers, however, rely on semiconductor sensors. In order to take accurate readings, breathalyzers need to be regularly calibrated. Investing in a professional-grade breathalyzer is one of the most effective ways to make sure that your blood alcohol content level is not too high. By regularly monitoring your BAC, you can get a better idea of how your body processes alcohol, allowing you to make smarter decisions.
Myth:
Breathalyzers are only capable of measuring alcohol.
Reality:
Any substance that contains alcohol can cause the breathalyzer to take an inaccurate reading. For instance, if you use an alcohol-based mouthwash or if you take certain types of toothache medication, the breathalyzer may detect alcohol on your breath even if you haven’t been drinking. Breathalyzers that are designed for personal use also sometimes mistake acetone for alcohol. People with diabetes or people who are on extremely low-carb/high-protein diets may have acetone on their breath. This can trigger false positives. Similarly, certain types of chemicals like paint, cleaning products, varnish, and rubbing alcohol can also cause inaccurate results.
While there is no real way to beat a breathalyzer test, you can make more informed decisions by investing in a professional-grade breathalyzer of your own. By using this tool to learn how alcohol is processed by your body, it is much easier to judge when you have had enough. The most important thing to remember is that you should never get behind the wheel if you have had any alcohol, regardless of how low you believe your blood-alcohol content is.
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