In an article by Lance Knowlton in April of 2006 he published the following:
If you are ever suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and pulled over by the police, you may be given a Breathalyzer test, which will be used to determine the level of alcohol concentration in your bloodstream. This device used by law enforcement, is portable, reasonably accurate, and gives almost immediate results.
Given the dire consequences drivers face if they fail such a test, there’s a question that often arises among individuals who are concerned about the possibility of being caught drinking and driving; is there any way to fool the Breathalyzer into showing a lower reading?
Listed below are some common myths and facts about trying to beat the Breathalyzer.
Myth: Sucking on pennies. Most people know that sucking on a penny, or any other type of change, does not trick the Breathalyzer into registering a falsely low blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Even sillier is that people who believe it think the penny trick works because of the penny’s high copper concentration. Pennies have been made of 97.5% zinc since the 1980s.
You can read the rest of the article at Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_46908_18.html
Authored by L.E. Knowlton. For more great information on Breathalyzers and other drunk driving and alcohol information, please visit: http://www.everettanalyzers.com/breathalyzer.html
The following abbreviated chapter is from the book: DUI/DWI Virginia Arrest Survival Guide – The Guilt Myth Coauthored by Michael C. Tillotson & Robert Battle, Virginia DUI Defense Lawyers.
CHAPTER 8
“THE GUILT MYTH”—BREATHALYZERS
The breath test is the most common test that people are asked to take once they are taken to the police station, but it is also highly susceptible to error. If the test is not taken just right, then it will not accurately measure your blood alcohol concentration and your lawyer may be able to persuade the judge to throw it out. Below is a list of factors that can make a breath test unreliable.
Calibration of the Machine
Residual Alcohol in the Mouth
Belching, Hiccupping or Vomiting Prior to a Test
GERD/Acid Reflux
The Temperature of Your Breath
How Fast Your Body Eliminates the Alcohol
Other Chemical Compounds in Your Mouth
Strictly speaking, the breath test does not detect alcohol (ethyl alcohol). It detects part of the alcohol molecule called the methyl group. The significance of this is that the breathalyzer will also register as alcohol other compounds that are commonly found in human breath. If any of these compounds is present, it will result in an inflated and inaccurate BAC reading.
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If you have been charged with a DUI contact Michael C. Tillotson – DUI Defense Attorney in Virginia. Office 757.969.5197 http://www.VaDUILawyer.com or email at info@vaduilawyer.org
