Breathalyzers are known for having a number of flaws and giving higher results to many people, particularly people with specific medical conditions. One problem that is becoming increasingly common is the fact that drivers on a low-carb diet end up having an elevated BAC on breathalyzer machines. As Atkins and gluten free diets are increasing in popularity all the time, this means more and more people are going to get falsely high breathalyzer results. If you are on a low-carb diet, a Vista DUI lawyer may be able to fight your breathalyzer results with this information.

The problem with low-carb diets, at least from a DUI perspective, is that while on this program, the body starts turning fat reserves into energy. As this occurs, the body generates things called ketones, which, in turn, create isopropyl alcohol. While this compound won’t get you drunk (otherwise you’d have a lot of buzzed dieters everywhere), it is possible to be misinterpreted as ethanol alcohol on a breathalyzer test. That’s why it is so important to have a knowledgeable Vista DUI attorney help to defend you when you have failed a breathalyzer test. No one wants a dieter or someone with Celiac disease to be found guilty of drunk driving just because they cut carbohydrates from their diet.

Additionally, your body might also produce higher than normal levels of acetone while dieting. This is another substance that breathalyzers can possibly identify as alcohol. With your body potentially releasing two chemicals that can potentially be mistaken for alcohol by a breathalyzer, you might be better off taking a blood test to get a more accurate reading if you are on a low-carb diet. If you do take a breath test though, be sure to tell your Vista DUI lawyer that you are on a low-carb diet.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free initial consultation with top Vista DUI attorney Peter M. Liss, please call (760) 643-4050.

Creative Commons Image by Neeta Lind