are there any diabetics out there that have given exaggerated breath test readings on a breathalyser?

Question

i was experiencing a hypo at time i didnt recognise symptoms was stopped by police and gave a high reading although i hadnt consumed enough to warrant it. i obviously appeared drunk to police by the very nature of hypos had severe problems blowing in bag due to confusion. i was put in a cell and subsequent reading 1-2 hrs later was slightly higher rather than lower as would be the case with non-diabetics. i told them later i was diabetic and was given a biscuit and then hours later coffee with sugar . i was not offered a blood test .

Answer 1

What was your reading at the station
The machine is fool proof it will only detect alcohol in the breath
the fact that you were not offered a blood/urine same means to me that your reading was quite excessive and you were almost certainly charged with the offence to appear at court.
Almost all cases will result in a minimum ban of 12 months

Answer 2

where you charged ??

Next you don't have to be offered a blood test , you have to request the blood test.

Next sorry about that officer, as officers we are normally trained to tell the difference between someone drinking and someon in a diabetic state. Also the "smell" of the breath is different with a diabetic than a drunk.

But a good qualifed breathalyer tech can still get a real reading.


Also no, after 1 or 2 hours a drunk can have higher readings if they had drunk the drink very shortly before being arrested, it takes time for it to get into the system, it slowly goes up, then peaks and goes down.

It appears if you were charged, you have a good defense and need to hire an attorney. If you were not charged ???

Answer 3

Is it possible that ketones would raise the (apparent) alcohol content? You may wish to check this out.
Recent cigarette smoking will give a higher reading with some equipment.
The refusal to give you a blood test is probably significant.
(I am assuming that you are in the UK because of some of the words you use)
If you are diabetic and had been consuming alcohol, the police would more properly have taken you to a hospital.
If you have to go before a judge, take a lawyer with you.
IMHO, you have a good case.
I would respectfully suggest that alcohol and diabetes are not a good combination.

Answer 4

Most modern BAC instruments recognize the presence of acetone (the chemical produced by diabetics) and compensate for it before rendering a BAC reading. Some may indicate that an interferent was detected in the breath sample but will still render an accurate BAC reading. If the reading was over the legal limit it is a prima facia case for impairment. The fact that you are diabetic further aggravates the crime in that diabetics should not drink alcohol, much less drink alcohol and drive.

Answer 5

Your condition would probably have made you appear drunk and unresponsive.

Not sure if you are permitted to ask for blood test but there are a few articles online saying acetone in your breath can give inaccurate readings.

In the end it will be down to the judge, also was it documented that you were diabetic?

I would get a copy of your custody record to be sure.

In the end you might get past on a technicality but its a long shot.

Go see a decent lawyer, they'll tell you if its worth while.

Answer 6

Diabetics cannot get a true reading for alcohol. I worked for a gentleman who was GM at a Jeep dealership in Los Angeles. He had an auto accident when he had been drinking. and could not pass the alcohol test. When he went to court, his atty told the judge (falsely) that he was a diabetic. They dismissed the case but ironically, about 6 months later, he had a physical and the doctor told him he had diabetes. My understanding is that alcohol in your system turns to sugar, therefore they cant get a true reading if you are diabetic.

Answer 7

Its not going to work, diabetics have the smell of alcohol from acetone but will not register on the intox machine. Blood test or independent test are offered as part of the implied consent law. You advised you were confused and it was your responsibility after being advised of your rights to request and independent test.If you were coherent enough to be driving then you should have notified the police you were a diabetic when they stopped you. Get an attorney and hope for the best.

Answer 8

A breathalyzer is meant to measure the amount of alcohol that is present in your bloodstream. It is possible that your low blood sugar would cause you to appear to be more inebriated than you really were, however, diabetes would not cause any sort of false read on a breathalyzer test. No sense in making excuses now, better to show some remorse and hopefully the judge shows some sort of leniency.

Answer 9

great idea...blame the incompetent pathetic police for you drinking and driving. diabetics are not allowed to drink...drinking will send them into diabetic shock...diabetics that are near diabetic shock do act as they are intoxicated and or incoherent....being diabetic will not make your blood alcohol level higher and or skew any breath test reading. i thank the police that got your drunken can off the road before you killed somebody you self centered jerk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

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