Common DUI Myths
There are a lot of myths out there, which claim to help you when caught driving under the influence. Here are some of the commonly known myths and the actual truths behind them.
Debunking DUI myths
A common misconception is that smelling alcohol on someone's breath automatically means he or she is under the influence. In reality, the alcohol component cannot be smelled. What is smelled from a drunk person's breath are common ingredients of alcoholic drinks. Another misconception is that field sobriety tests are enough to determine if someone has been under the influence. A study at the Clemson University has proven that a field sobriety test is not enough. Several officers were asked to determine if certain individuals were intoxicated through videotapes of them doing the field sobriety tests. Each individual had zero alcohol in their blood, but the officers said 46 percent of them were drunk. That is why it is necessary to do other tests besides the breath analyzer and the field sobriety tests to verify intoxication.
Some say that sucking or chewing on a penny, breath mint, or gum can help evade the Breathalyzer test. Just consider the chewing involved, and you'll realize that it's not a solution!
Other myths involve more serious matters in relation to a trial and the police involved. They say that law enforcement officers cannot influence what is read in a breath-testing machine. Unfortunately, they can manipulate it such that your reading becomes higher than it actually is. Alcohol changes its concentration as you breathe, with the first having an alcohol concentration lower than the corresponding BAC. However, your last breath can give a BAC much higher than what it actually is based on your alcohol concentration. Officers then make you breathe harder into the machine until it gives them the reading they need to make the arrest. In reality, breath testers don't actually measure your BAC but actually estimate the concentration. You will need a sample of blood to get the real BAC count.
It is important to take note of other statements people make about driving under the influence. Use your common sense to decipher if it is completely true. Do your research to be sure.
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