The Ocala Star-Banner reports about a University of Florida study which found that using hand sanitizer with alcohol can cause incorrect breathalyzer readouts, just another example of the problems with these DUI devices used by law enforcement.
As previously reported in the Broward DUI Lawyer Blog, breathalyzers are coming under fire across the nation for their inaccuracies. In Santa Clara and Palo Alto, California, prosecutors are reviewing thousands of DUI cases because of a manufacturing error in breathalyzers. In Philadelphia and Vermont, concerns over Breathalyzer machines that haven't been properly calibrated are allowing DUI suspects to go free.
Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyers have challenged Breathalyzer results for as long as they have been introduced in DUI cases. We believe challenging this form of evidence is essential to a DUI defense in Miami.
The UF study examined 11 subjects as they used hand sanitizer every five minutes during a 10-hour period for three days. None of the subjects had a history of alcohol use and were tested at the beginning of each day.
At the end of the three-day period, eight of the subjects produced readouts that indicated a high use of alcohol though none had consumed alcohol other than what they used to clean their hands.
This is just another example of where Breathalyzers are faulty and should be challenged in defense of a DUI charge. Imagine nurses and doctors and other professionals who constantly use hand sanitizer at work. What if an officer suspects the driver has been drinking based on their impressions and all of a sudden, the driver could be arrested and booked into jail.
It may seem a little far-fetched, but breathalyzers have had problems for years. It's been documented that having acid reflux can cause your breath to create a high breathalyzer input. Smoking, belching and air temperature are all factors, not to mention the training of the officer using the machine. Because the machines calculate blood-alcohol level by a person's breath, they are inherently faulty.
An aggressive Broward County DUI attorney will challenge the results of these machines in your case. Don't let the evidence pile up against you. As they say, a good offense is a strong defense and Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyers will provide that.
West Palm Beach DUI Attorney Carlos Canet is an aggressive and experienced drunk driving defense attorney, representing clients facing DUI charges in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach. Call 866-7ASKDUI to discuss your rights.
