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Debunking 3 alcohol breath test myths

On Behalf of | Feb 9, 2023 | DUI

Those stopped for drunk driving can face severe penalties, including loss of driving privileges, jail time and fines. To avoid these consequences, you might believe you can trick the alcohol breath tests using various methods.

These myths about faking a breath test are usually meritless and can lead to incorrect, illegal actions.

Myth 1: Controlling your breath

A breath test measures the amount of alcohol, or ethanol, in your system. After drinking alcohol, your body absorbs it into your bloodstream, and as the blood moves through your body, some alcohol evaporates and moves into your lungs. While blowing in a breath test device, attempting to control your breathing will not affect the results. The alcohol concentration still exists on your breath and will cause a chemical reaction in the machine.

Myth 2: Using gum, mints or mouthwash

Eating mints or chewing gum before a breath test will not help you pass. Similarly, swishing with mouthwash will not affect the alcohol levels in your body. You might think that the minty scent will throw off the test, but when you drink alcohol, the vapors will still exist in your breath, no matter what else you consume.

Myth 3: Exhaling through your nose

You might have heard that another method to fool an alcohol-detecting device is exhaling through your nose rather than your mouth. Others incorrectly believe that the breath from your nose will throw off the test results. The test results remain close, if not exact, regardless of where your breath originates.

People under the influence should avoid driving altogether as it is a dangerous practice and these myths do not affect the results of an alcohol breath test.

Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Defense: Law, Tactics, and Procedure | by Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. | Revere Legal Publishers