Factors known to impact Breathalyzer accuracy

| Aug 15, 2018 | Uncategorized

If a Wisconsin law enforcement official pulls you over and believes you were drinking before getting behind the wheel, he or she is likely to administer a breath test using a device known as a Breathalyzer. While, in many cases, Breathalyzers give accurate results, they are also sometimes prone to error. Because the stakes associated with an Operating While Intoxicated conviction are so severe, you want to have complete faith that the results your Breathalyzer produces are 100-percent accurate.

If your breath test indicates that you consumed alcohol before driving, but you dispute its results, know that the following factors have the capacity to throw off Breathalyzer accuracy:

Technical issues

Every breath test device must undergo regular calibration to produce accurate readings. If your device was not properly calibrated, or conversely, if the person who administers your breath test fails to do it properly, the results it ultimately produces may not be accurate.

Electronic interference

Electronic interference is another thing that can throw off the accuracy of your breath test. Nearby police radios, cellphone towers and similar factors all have the capacity to do so.


If you are diabetic, it is important that you recognize that your medical condition can also impact your Breathalyzer reading. In some cases, breath tests detect the presence of acetone and take it as a sign of intoxication, but diabetics can sometimes have acetone on their breath even if they have not been drinking.

Blood and vomit

Having blood or vomit in your mouth when you take your breath test can also affect its accuracy. Typically, authorities are aware of this, and they know they should wait a certain amount of time after seeing blood or vomit before re-administering your test.

The penalties Wisconsin’s drunk drivers potentially face are considerable, and they might include jail time, steep fines and community service, among other repercussions. If you have reason to believe that your Breathalyzer test results were inaccurate, it may prove wise to investigate further.