Drunk Driving and Fake Science

[motorcy90]

when I was working the front gate at MCAS New River one of the base police officers was talking about how you should refuse the breathalyzer because of this. he said you would be better off having them do an actual test back at the station, the portable ones always read high. of course our Platoon Sgt had a hard on for busting underage guys coming through the gate, even if they were in the back of a cab, I know I made up dates off IDs a few times to spare some the hassle.

 

[motorcy90]

An adult male is not at .08 from two light beers; wife might be though.

hell it probably takes 6-7 light beers in an hr for me to get there.. which kind of sucks in a way too.

 

[motorcy90]

I agree. I liken it to gas pumps. They have to be tested and certified every year to make sure you are getting the amount of fuel you are paying for. Something as important as a breathalyzer should be treated the same.

hell it should be every month if not every day before use in all honesty.

 

[Cyforce]

I feel like if you drink just Uber.

**** Uber I'm better at 1.2 than any of them sum *******

 

[GFYHawks]

I thought this story was interesting and also very relevant to this audiance. I know we like to have a few Busch Lattes (or are they out now?) and I know you all don't live in Ames.

https://www.aier.org/article/drunk-driving-and-fake-science/

Original large NYT article. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/03/business/drunk-driving-breathalyzer.html?action=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage

So it’s actually mind blowing – or maybe once you hear this it will seem incredibly obvious – that the New York Times has published a massive investigation that shows that the science behind the breathalyzer is bogus. Tens of thousands of arrests have been wrong. Cases are being thrown out around the country. The company that makes the machines for the police stations won’t share its technology or submit to a serious scientific review of its technology.

This is a classic case of the dangers of scientism in the service of state-based justice. Put on the lab coat, sell the government a fancy machine, harass people with unending intimidation, and the result is vast injustice based on bad science. Citizens themselves have no recourse. This has been going on for decades in the United States and yet we are only now finding out about it.

PBT’s (breathalyzers) are inadmissible in court anyways so... with that being said one can not solely be arrested for testing high on the breathalyzer and even with a test you must be able to prove impairment !
Maybe you should go to the gymnastics forum!

 

[GFYHawks]

While we're at it the legal limit needs to be increased. .08 (two beers) is ridiculous. Bump up to .12.

Says the guy who is probably 1 OWI away from prison!

 

[CloneFan4]

Says the guy who is probably 1 OWI away from prison!

I've never been arrested or even pulled over and I have 9 year driving record. Nice try tavern hok

 

[cyclones500]

walk-and-turn test [actually tough to pass sober, and i cant pass it if im really tired]
one-leg stand test [actually tough to pass sober]

These tests should be deemed unreliable, for reason you stated. People's natural agility can vary widely.

 

[GFYHawks]

These tests should be deemed unreliable, for reason you stated. People's natural agility can vary widely.

Natural agility is not a factor in HGN eye test! You can’t fake the eye test!

 

[TexCyted]

Field Sobriety tests including the preliminary breath test are not used to determine your BAC for a criminal charge, they are used as probable cause to arrest. The subject will still have an opportunity to give an official blood or breath sample. If you pass you will not be charged.