Georgia Running a Temperature and the Breathalyzer

Did you know that your body temperature can have a huge impact on the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream? In fact, countless Georgia drivers are falsely arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) due to inaccurate breathalyzer results caused by an elevated body temperature. Here’s what all Georgia drivers need to be aware of when it comes to running a temperature and the breathalyzer.

As you probably know, the normal temperature for a healthy person is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are sick or suffering from a bacterial infection, this number will often rise, resulting in one of the most classic signs of illness: fever.

Of course, having a temperature above 98.6 degrees doesn’t always mean a person is sick. Like most individual characteristics, “normal” body temperature can vary between individuals. What’s more, your temperature can also differ based on time of day—so while it may be 98.6 at the beginning of the day, your temperature may slightly rise throughout the day.

So how can your temperature possibly affect your chances of being arrested for DUI? Well, because breathalyzers compare your breath test results with the standard person’s information, having a temperature above the average 98.6 reading can indirectly affect your final BAC calculation. In fact, research indicates that a temperature of just 1.8 degrees above or below 98.6 degrees can inflate a person’s BAC reading by as much as seven percent.

Clearly, your breathalyzer test results can be easily influenced by your body temperature—and if you were running a fever at the time the test was administered, it’s quite possible your BAC calculation was inflated due to your condition. Luckily for you, attorneys Frank Gomez & William Head are subject matter experts in the science of breath testing, and he can use his extensive training and legal knowledge to ensure your test results are accurate.

To find out more about how to challenge your breathalyzer test results, contact our team of DUI defense strategists immediately after your arrest. For more than a decade, we have helped drivers just like you reduce or avoid the consequences of a drunk driving arrest.

Add your name to the firm’s list of victories—contact the Law Firm of Frank Gomez & William Head right now for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.

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