What causes the Sobering Effect?

[Cat_Whisperer]

@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 site.) By BAC in this quote, I believe they mean your estimated BAC from a breathalyzer, not your actual BAC.

[wolfman]

@Priceguy

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.

[Cat_Whisperer]

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?

[outlierrn]

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.