Understanding how breathalyzers function is crucial when facing a DUI charge in Georgia, as the results can significantly impact your case. Simon Peed, an experienced Statesboro DUI attorney, has comprehensive training in the complexities of DUI defense, including the intricacies of challenging breathalyzer results.
Police in Georgia use two main types of breathalyzer devices to measure blood alcohol content (BAC): the fuel-cell breathalyzer and the infrared light breathalyzer. Since the infrared version is more commonly used in Georgia DUI cases, this explanation will focus on that device. To grasp how these machines operate, it’s essential to first understand what they measure.
What Breathalyzers Measure
Georgia DUI breathalyzers are designed to analyze the alcohol content in the deepest part of your lungs, known as alveolar air. This air is believed to closely match the alcohol content in your bloodstream due to the high concentration of blood vessels in that region. Alcohol molecules have unique properties that allow them to pass through cell walls and travel through the body more quickly and easily than other substances, making alveolar air an ideal sample for estimating BAC.
How Breathalyzers Work Internally
When you blow into the breathalyzer, the air from your lungs moves past a lamp emitting various wavelengths of infrared light. The air then travels through a filter wheel, which is engineered to isolate alcohol molecules by trapping other substances. The light that passes through the filter wheel is measured by a photocell and converted into an electrical pulse. This pulse is analyzed by a microprocessor, which calculates your BAC based on the data received.
However, these machines are not without flaws. The chemical structure of alcohol closely resembles that of other compounds, and while the filter wheel is designed to differentiate ethyl alcohol from other chemicals, studies indicate it sometimes fails to do so. This means that innocent substances in your breath could be misread as alcohol, potentially resulting in false BAC readings.
At their core, breathalyzers are computers, and they are only as reliable as their programming. When you blow into a breathalyzer, the device makes certain assumptions, such as a 2100:1 ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol. It does not adapt its calculations for individual variations in body composition, such as gender, age, body temperature, or lung capacity, applying the same standard formula to everyone.
If you are facing a DUI charge in Georgia and need more than just general knowledge, reach out to Simon Peed today. His specialized expertise in Georgia DUI law and defense strategies will help protect your rights and build a strong defense against criminal charges and potential license suspension. Contact him now for a consultation!
