How Does the Breathalyzer Test Work?

Advances in blood alcohol content (BAC) testing have allowed law enforcement officials to adopt mechanical devices to quickly test your BAC after getting pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. Rather than a standard field sobriety test, you may be asked to submit to a BAC testing device called a Breathalyzer. The Breathalyzer analyzes the amount of alcohol in your body to help determine if you are driving while intoxicated.

Unfortunately, the Breathalyzer test is not perfect, and it can miscalculate your BAC to make it appear as if you are driving under the influence of alcohol when you are sober. If you believe that you have been wrongfully charged with DWI due to problems such as this, you can fight back. Contact an experienced Houston drunk driving lawyer from Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C., today at 713-222-0400 to discuss your case.

Alcohol on Your Breath

Many people assume that the Breathalyzer “smells” your breath to determine your BAC. On the contrary, however, this device actually measures the amount of alcohol that is in your exhaled breath. As you drink, your intestines absorb the alcohol into your bloodstream. The blood then carries the alcohol throughout your body, such as to your lungs. Here, the alcohol molecules can escape your body by clinging to the carbon dioxide that you exhale.

Understanding the Breathalyzer

When you exhale, the Breathalyzer analyzes the percentage of alcohol that was in your released breath. It then transforms this into an electrical signal, which is calibrated by a law enforcement official to measure your BAC. This device is supposed to test the alcohol in your exhalation and determine the proportionate amount of alcohol in your blood.

Contact Us

While this scientific method may sound accurate, there can be problems with Breathalyzer tests that lead to incorrect BAC readings. If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, it may be due to problems with your BAC test. To learn more about your legal options, contact a knowledgeable Houston DWI attorney from Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C., at 713-222-0400 today.