Beat a Breathalyzer: Urban Myths or Facts?

People will go great lengths to avoid a DUI charge. In some cases, this means trying to beat a breathalyzer. Although many people try to beat breathalyzers, few people have success with it. That’s because there are many urban myths relating to how to beat a breathalyzer. Find out the most common urban myths surrounding breathalyzers.

Urban Myths

1. Sucking on a Copper Penny Can Skew the Breathalyzer’s Results

One rumor that’s made its way around is that a copper penny can change a breathalyzer’s reading. However, this is not true. Copper does not change the results of the test. Instead, all it does is leave a bad taste in your mouth. You can put all the pennies in your mouth that you want; none of them will change your BAC reading. However, it might give the police officer a good laugh.

2. Mouthwash or Breath Mints Will Lower Your BAC

This myth started because people would try to cover up the odor of alcohol with breath mints. While mints do mask the odor, they don’t change your BAC level. When you blow into the breathalyzer, the machine can still deliver an accurate BAC.

Be especially cautious about using mouthwash before a breathalyzer. Because mouthwash can contain alcohol, it can boost your BAC. A police officer could think that you are more drunk than you actually are.

3. Smokers Cannot Give Accurate BAC Readings on a Breathalyzer

If you own a cheap handheld breathalyzer, then it might not work well on smokers. In the lungs of smokers, you can find high levels of acetaldehyde. This can throw off cheap breathalyzers. However, it does not affect the type of breathalyzers that police use. They use professional grade equipment that is more sensitive than most breathalyzers. Too much acetaldehyde does not skew the readings.

4. Breathalyzers Only Measure the Alcohol Content in Your Blood

It is true that breathalyzers were designed to measure your blood alcohol content. However, it could register other substances. It can produce false positives to other compounds. For example, a breathalyzer could measure a compound that is similar in structure to alcohol. This is true of acetone. In diabetic breathalyzer readings, their naturally high level of acetone can cause a positive. People on high protein diets, like the popular ketogenic diet, have the same issue.

In other cases, false results can come from environmental factors. For example, cleaning chemicals, plastics, paint fumes, and varnish can all skew your results. If any of those chemicals are in the air during the time of your breathalyzer, then you could have a high BAC reading.

5. Holding Your Breath or Exercising Can Help You Beat a Breathalyzer

Some people believe that exercising or holding their breath is one way to beat the breathalyzer. However, this is another myth. Decades ago, exercise did seem to lower BAC results by almost 10%. The holding of breath increased that reading by about 20%. However, exercise might not be the best option. New breathalyzer technology means that they are more accurate. Additionally, you don’t make a good impression if you are out of breath and gasping. Exercise might have the potential to lower your BAC, but a police officer might find your behavior suspicious. As a result, he might have even more evidence that you are drunk.

6. Breathalyzers Are Always Accurate

While it is true that breathalyzers are reliable, they are not always accurate. They can reliably determine whether or not you have alcohol in your breath sample. However, they cannot always accurately determine the amount. Professional breathalyzers, like the ones that police use, tend to be quite accurate. But they can fail. If an officer does not calibrate or maintain a breathalyzer properly, then it could provide inaccurate results. If you get a DUI, your lawyer might be able to dispute the results of your breathalyzer.

Can You Beat a Breathalyzer?

In reality, there is no bullet-proof way to beat a breathalyzer. The science behind it is strong, and there are no loopholes. If you take a breathalyzer when you are drunk, then the breathalyzer will register a high BAC.

However, there are ways that you can maintain your sobriety. In a way, this allows you to beat a breathalyzer. For example, you could eat a big meal while you drink. The alcohol wouldn’t digest as quickly, and you wouldn’t have a high BAC. Instead of getting drunk with two drinks, it might take three drinks. Additionally, drinking smart can lower your BAC. You can drink slowly over the period of many hours. Then, the alcohol has time to break down.

If you want to beat a breathalyzer, then you need to be smart about your drinking. Avoid drinking too much and don’t get behind the wheel of a car when you are drunk. Then, you don’t have to worry about tricking a breathalyzer into giving you a low BAC. You can avoid DUI charges and the trouble that comes with them.

Beat a Breathalyzer: Urban Myths or Facts?