When a Tennessee law enforcement officer thinks you might be under the influence during a traffic stop, he or she may ask you to take a breath test. The results of that breath test may have a serious impact on your future, because they may lead to a charge of driving under the influence.
A Tennessee DUI means serious penalties ranging from time behind bars to a driver’s license revocation. However, not every breath test produces accurate results. On the contrary, there are many factors that may lead to an inaccurate breath test reading, and some of these factors are as follows.
Improper or insufficient calibration
A breath test device is quite sensitive. It also requires periodic calibration to make sure it gives accurate readings. If authorities fail to follow proper protocols when it comes to calibrating the device used to test you, the results of your test may be invalid.
Environmental factors
Certain environmental variables also have the potential to throw off the results of your breath test. Certain chemicals may impact breath test device accuracy. Certain paint fumes or forms of environmental interference may do the same.
Substances in your mouth
Having certain substances in your mouth when you take your breath test may also lead to a false-positive reading. Certain mouthwashes or medications that contain alcohol may make it appear as if you were consuming alcohol before you drove even if you were not.
When you take a breath test, a whole lot is at stake. If you feel as if your breath test device produced an inaccurate reading, it may serve you well to get to the bottom of things.
