Breathalysers, urban myths and the truth
With the recent drink drive prosecution of rugby legend JPR Williams, after he tried to get away with drink driving by putting a penny under his tongue, two questions have to be asked; firstly, why do people get behind the wheel under the illusion they are fit to drive, and risk people's lives? Second, what are these urban myths and do they have any scientific basis to work?
So let's look at some the most common urban myths, and we'll give you the facts.
1. Strong coffee will keep me alert, sober me up.
Only time will rid your body of alcohol. Caffeine in coffee cannot keep you alert and restore judgment.
2. Bigger people can handle their alcohol better.
It is true that body size can affect in the rate alcohol is absorbed, but you must also consider individual metabolism, the amount of rest you had and when you last ate.
3. Put a piece of metal in your mouth, suck a copper coin
This one has shot up the charts recently, thanks to the publicity given to a sporting legend trying to alter the result of a roadside breath test. As he found out, it doesn't work...
4. Hold your breath before the test.
This will actually have the opposite effect and make your breath reading falsely high! This is because the concentration of alcohol in the air in the lungs will become higher because the air is not passing through them, but you blood will continue to flow round.
5. Hyper ventilate before the test.
This will have the effect of lowering your breath sample, but the Police are wise to it - that's why they'll talk to you for a few minutes before the test to make sure you haven't got the chance to do this.
6. Spray fresh breath spray into your mouth before the test.
Most fresh breath sprays have a very high concentration of mint, which can fool the breathalyser into reading higher!
7. Burp it out
This causes the liquids and/or gases from the stomach -- including any alcohol -- to rise up into the soft tissue of the esophagus and oral cavity, where it will stay until it has dissipated. Again, this one's more likely to put you behind bars of the metal variety!
8.Drink lots of water
A breathalyser measures the content of alcohol in the air in your lungs and contrary to popular belief has nothing to do with your stomach or urine. Leave this one to help with the hangover.
Currently the legal UK drink drive limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.8%) or % 0.08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
Only TIME will reduce your BAC. So other myths like cold showers, exercise, fresh air, vomiting, tablets or home remedies can be discounted.
Talking to National Media recently, Hunter Abbott CEO of Alco Sense advised; "Breathalysers are pretty foolproof devices and if you have been drinking there is no escaping a positive result," adding "The best advice for anyone who has had a drink is, don't drive. You will always find people trying them [urban myths]. But police have seen them all and if they think you are trying it on, you will get more closely examined."
