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DUI is a serious subject.  There are many injuries and deaths related to it.  Individuals can end up with large fines, be banned from driving and even end up doing time in jail when convicted.  There are a number of rumors related to DUI – some true, some false.

When the police smell your breath they can detect alcohol.  Well, this is not true as alcohol is odorless.  They will be able to detect other smells – beer, wine or drink mixers, but not the alcohol itself.  In fact test have shown that the presence of strong odors do not directly relate to the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream.  It is just one of the signs that you may be intoxicated.

Diabetics with low blood sugar often show similar attributes to drunk people.  They even produce acetone which can be picked up by a breathalyzer – resulting in charges of DUI.    Many diabetics are charged with DUI.

Smokers also have problems with DUI.  One of the byproducts of smoking is excessive amounts of acetaldehyde which can show up as alcohol in breathalyzers.  This greatly increases the risk of DUI for smokers.

Even the way you breathe can affect the BAC reading.  In fact the last part of the breath can hold the highest concentration of alcohol.

You can see that breathalyzers are not wholly accurate when used to detect alcohol in the breath.  And there can be an error factor of as much as twenty to thirty percent.  It is possible to contest the results of the breathalyzer if good reasons exist.  They do not accurately measure alcohol in the blood…they only estimate it.  Certain states do not allow its use.  A blood sample must be taken to prove the blood alcohol content.

The best way to avoid these problems is not to drink if you are driving – or to appoint a designated driver.  If you have been charged with DUI contact an experienced DUI attorney.

Article provided by Vermont DUI Lawyer helping drivers with their legal requirements.