The decisions that drivers make could lead to driving under the influence (DUI) charges. If people choose to drive after drinking, they could be at risk of arrest and prosecution. Occasionally, drivers who did not drink enough alcohol to impair their capabilities or exceed blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are still at risk.
Prosecutors bringing DUI charges often rely on chemical test results to make their case. For some drivers, the way that they groom themselves could increase their risk of a DUI arrest.
Oral hygiene products may contain alcohol
Many people worry about having bad breath. Especially for those with chronic halitosis, it is common to adopt socialization habits that prevent or address bad breath.
People may rinse with mouthwash immediately before they interact in a close space with another person. Others might use breath sprays. Both of those products could potentially contain high levels of alcohol.
If a driver uses a breath spray or mouthwash with alcohol while waiting for a police officer to approach their vehicle, their considerate habit could leave them at risk of prosecution. Officers may note the fresh breath or may see the driver using the spray or mouthwash. Those observations may make them suspicious that the driver has something to hide.
Additionally, the alcohol present in those hygiene products could drastically alter the outcome of chemical testing. Drivers who had nothing to drink can fail a chemical test if they added alcohol to their mouths in the moments before a breath test.
Motorists accused of DUI offenses are often able to exonerate themselves with the right criminal defense strategy. Consulting with a DUI defense attorney can potentially help drivers raise a reasonable doubt about whether they were actually under the influence while on the road.
