When traveling on Oahu or elsewhere, it can be disconcerting to get pulled over in a traffic stop. You never know what a police officer might say as he or she approaches your vehicle. If you merely receive a warning to watch your speed, the officer in question might tell you that you’re free to go and you’ll be back on the road in a matter of minutes.
However, if a Hawaii patrol officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, it might mean that he or she suspects you of drunk driving. The officer might say that your tires touched the yellow line or give another reason for stopping you. If a request is made for you take an alcohol breath screening, things might get worse before they get better. This is especially true if you have a condition that can cause the device to register positive for alcohol, even if you didn’t consume any.
Acetone on your breath may cause false alcohol results
Hypoglycemia is a deficiency of glucose in your bloodstream. If you have Type I diabetes, there may be occasions where you suffer from hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause you to have high levels on acetone on your breath. Acetone can cause a breath test to register positive for alcohol. In fact, if you have a lot of acetone on your breath, the device might register as high as .06 for blood alcohol content (BAC).
A police officer needs have probable cause to arrest for you DUI. A BAC of .06 would be probable cause to make an arrest. With regard to diabetes, many people have it but don’t know they have it; therefore, just because you haven’t had a medical diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean you are not a diabetic.
Other causes of acetone on the breath
Even if you don’t have diabetes, numerous other issues can cause you to have a lot of acetone on your breath. For instance, if you become frightened or have overexerted yourself, it can spike acetone on your breath. Drinking diet soda or taking certain types of medication can increase acetone levels as well.
There are also several other types of health conditions (besides diabetes) that can raise your acetone levels, thus causing you to fail a roadside breath test during a traffic stop.
What to do if you’re arrested for DUI in Hawaii
As for roadside breath tests, you’re not obligated to take one. However, many drivers think it’s better to cooperate than to refuse to take a breath test or field sobriety test. Either way, if you wind up being taken into police custody, you can reach out for additional support to help you navigate the criminal justice system.