Have you ever considered buying yourself a personal breathalyzer? When you compare their price to the cost of a ticket for driving while intoxicated (DWI), it can appear to be a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple and relying on a personal breath-testing machine could even increase the chance you get a DWI conviction. Here are the problems:
1. Courts won’t accept them as evidence
If the police arrest you on suspicion of drunk driving, they won’t care what your machine said. They are going to carry out their own test, and a reading from their machine is the only one that a court will be interested in.
2. They can be inaccurate
Even high-quality machines do not stay accurate forever, and some personal breathalyzers are not that accurate in the first place.
The reading they give only relates to that precise moment too. They cannot predict how your blood alcohol concentration will be in half an hour. So, if you test yourself straight after finishing your last drink, don’t be surprised if you find yourself over the limit by the time the police stop you down the road.
3. They could encourage you to drive when you shouldn’t
Many people have a rule that they never drink if they have to drive. Or they limit themselves to one drink only. Being able to test yourself could make it more likely that you drink a little more next time you are out. Besides, even minimal amounts of alcohol can affect your driving and lead to charges.
If you face a DWI charge after relying on a personal breathalyzer, there are still many other defense options available to you. Consider legal help to choose the best one.
