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Breath tests aren’t foolproof but tricks won’t beat them

On Behalf of | Aug 27, 2020 | DUI Defense |

When you see the flashing lights of a police vehicle behind you, your heart might drop. You must ensure that you handle being pulled over by the cops appropriately. One thing that you might go through is the breath test. Some people who know they’ve been drinking might be tempted to try to beat the test, but this isn’t a good idea. For the most part, breath test machines can’t be beaten. 

People have tried all sorts of methods to try to trick the breath test machine. These include:

  • Trying to hold your breath or hyperventilate just prior to breathing into the machine. This may work, but the officer will probably notice what you’re doing and not allow it to happen.
  • Using breath mints or mouthwash isn’t going to help you pass the test. In fact, it might increase the reading because some of these products contain alcohol that will show up on the breath test results. 
  • Eating food or drinking fluids can help to dilute the alcohol in your body but it isn’t going to impact the reading of the breath test. The breath test measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream through your breath.
  • Sucking on pennies was once thought to help when they were made of copper. However, pennies now are primarily zinc and not copper. 

If you’re pulled over for the suspicion of drunk driving and arrested, you need to get to work on your defense quickly. Your attorney can help you to learn about what options you have for addressing these charges. You have to make decisions that you feel are best for your circumstances.