# What causes the Sobering Effect?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 27, 2008, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737 "2008-10-27T09:10:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737/21 "2008-10-28T16:17:23Z")

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> [@Balthisar](#):
>
> The voice-over guy mentioned it casually, that the breathalyzer corroborated the improved testing response.

I think we’re seeing here why the police go to an actual BAC after screening with a breathalyzer. 🙂

ETA: Found an interesting statistic on the subject -

> [@](#):
>
> BAC levels may be impacted by physical activity. One study found that running up and down the stairs right before a breath test could decrease BAC by up to 25%.

(From [this](http://www.totaldui.com/breathalyzer_bac.htm) site.) By BAC in this quote, I believe they mean your estimated BAC from a breathalyzer, not your actual BAC.

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**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737/22 "2008-10-28T16:22:55Z")

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> [@Priceguy](#):
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> If not, I think we should install a scare-the-shit-out-of-the-driver-device in every new car.

I believe that is called a “girlfriend”, and they often are self installing. 😉

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**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737/23 "2008-10-28T16:25:44Z")

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Doing more research on breathalyzers vs. blood samples, the Mythbuster results with regard to the breathalyzer are completely useless. A subjective test of motor skills is the only thing they got out of that test; breathalyzers are so variable that their results are not meaningful in this context, and I’m a little surprised that people can lose their licenses over such a sloppy test. Can someone reassure me that legal action isn’t actually taken until they have your BAC confirmed with a proper blood test?

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**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-the-sobering-effect/469737/24 "2008-10-28T17:42:28Z")

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I can’t imagine police officers would put up with the shit I see them have to put up with sometimes in the process of getting a blood test if they didn’t have too.

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