The police use breathalyzers to determine a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). You may be wondering whether these devices are 100% accurate. Can a driver get an inaccurate reading? Here is what to know about the accuracy of breathalyzers:
Studies have shown that breathalyzers have a margin of error. The BAC of a driver measured using a breathalyzer can differ from when a blood or urine test is done. The more accurate a device is, the closer the BAC result will be to the actual level.
What affects a breathalyzer’s accuracy?
Various factors can affect the accuracy of a breathalyzer. For starters, poor calibration. Law enforcement officers are required to calibrate breathalyzers frequently to maintain accuracy.
The sensor of a breathalyzer drifts over time, affecting its overall performance. Calibration must be carried out by the appropriate specialists to ensure the device can accurately detect alcohol in a breath sample. If a device is not calibrated regularly or properly, it can give false positives or negatives.
Another factor that can affect a breathalyzer’s accuracy is operator error. If the officer conducting the test fails to follow the required guidelines or is inadequately trained, a driver may receive inaccurate results.
Other products can affect a breathalyzer’s readings as well. For instance, if a driver has alcohol residue in the mouth from using a mouthwash, breath freshener or inhaler. Some medical conditions can also result in a false positive.
If you failed a breathalyzer test and are sure you were not drunk, it is possible the device gave an inaccurate reading. If this is the case, you may be able to challenge the charges that resulted.