There are many decisions that can impact a motorist’s likelihood of being targeted for drunk driving charges. The more frequently people consume alcohol, the greater their risk of driving under the influence (DUI) charges. However, people don’t need to drink regularly or excessively to be at risk.
For some people, choices related to their diet could lead to DUI charges. Other times, medical issues ranging from delaying seeing a doctor for diabetes to the use of certain types of asthma inhalers could result in people failing breath tests and facing DUI charges.
Personal hygiene practices can also sometimes put drivers at increased risk of DUI prosecution. People hoping to make a positive first impression on a police officer during a traffic stop might unintentionally increase their risk of DUI charges.
Popular oral hygiene products may include alcohol
A driver hoping to make a positive first impression on a police officer who just pulled them over might worry about bad breath. They may pull out a travel bottle of mouthwash or a little bottle of breath spray. Their goal is to be as approachable and clean as possible.
What they may fail to consider is that many mouthwashes and breath sprays contain high levels of alcohol. While the type of alcohol isn’t what people usually drink for enjoyment, it can still impact the results of chemical breath tests.
The officer might smell the alcohol and suspect the driver of being under the influence. Even if they don’t smell the alcohol, noticing the person scrambling with their possessions as they approach the vehicle could heighten their suspicions of the driver.
They may ask the driver to perform a breath test. Motorists who know they didn’t have much or anything to drink might happily submit to a test, only to fail because of the alcohol in their breath spray or mouthwash.
Personal hygiene practices are one of numerous factors that can result in unfair DUI charges against drivers. However, the same choice that led to a driver’s arrest can potentially play a role in exonerating them if the case goes to trial.
Discussing what happened before and during a DUI traffic stop with a skilled legal team could help drivers avoid an unfair conviction. An attorney familiar with the nuances of a DUI case might be able to help a driver avoid a conviction after they unexpectedly failed a breath test.
