How Do Breathalyzers Work?
Can a person's breath really be used to measure blood alcohol level?
Some say no. However, the police administering the breathalyzer are using the machine to determine your blood alcohol by measuring the amount of alcohol in your breath. When alcohol is consumed, it isn't digested right away; a portion of the alcohol you consumed makes it through the lungs. Some of the alcohol you drink passes through the membranes of your lungs and into the actual air. The air in your lungs, therefore, captures a small portion of the alcohol in your body.
…the ratio of alcohol in your breath to the alcohol in your blood is 2100 to 1.
When you blow into a breathalyzer, the machine is attempting to calculate the level of alcohol in the breath you expel, to attempt to measure what your actual blood alcohol level is. It has been concluded that the ratio of alcohol in your breath to the alcohol in your blood is 2100 to 1. This means that 2100 milliliters of breath will contain the same amount of alcohol as 1 milliliter of your blood.
By doing the math, the machine spits out a number that attempts to show your actual blood alcohol level. If your blood alcohol level is .08 grams of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of your blood, you may be considered an intoxicated driver by the arresting officer.
There are many myths and pieces of advice about breathalyzer tests to consider. Read through the situations in the list below to determine your best course of action moving forward.
Challenging a Breathalyzer Test
Many factors affect the accuracy of a breathalyzer. Some are based on assumptions and some are based on science. It should be your own unique body chemistry that is challenged to determine your Blood alcohol content.
If you refuse a breath test, then a report of refusal form is sent to the Secretary of State stating such. You will have only fourteen days from the day of your alleged refusal to contest the allegation. In the event of a refusal, you must fight this every step of the way.
Learn more about how the reason for which you were pulled over, and how it can help your case.
It's important to look into and all reason to challenge the reason an officer stopped you. Doing so will open up many legal opportunities for you in court. Have an attorney on your side with the right knowledge.
Many impressions of your case begin before the officer even pulls you over. Unsafe driving or speeding may be the reason the officer suspects something in the first place. A good defense attorney can use this bias to show that the officer was predisposed to arrest you.
Inaccurate breathalyzer tests are ideal for your case. Visit this page to learn more.
Most breathalyzers contain some margin of error. It could mean the difference between guilty and not. Investigating into these inaccuracies and errors are very real possibilities, since many breath test results are not accurate enough to be relied upon in court.