The Accuracy of Ignition Interlock Devices

UPI reports that the unidentified man, who lives in Frankston, Australia, claims he ate Bubble O'Bill ice cream, right before blowing into the breathalyzer, which caused the false positive. Afterwards went before a court asking to have the breathalyzer removed from his car.

The court decided to verify the error with a second test. Without eating the Ice Cream, the man's BAC was .0000. Immediately after taking two bites, it was .0018. The man got his wish, and the breathalyzer was removed. But the larger cause for concern here is what he did to get stuck with the breathalyzer in the first place? And what will he do now that he's no longer shackled to the buzz killer?

Assistant Commisioner Ken Lay told 3AW radio drivers could easily record false readings without consuming any alcohol.

"We are aware that a whole host of food, beverages, toothpastes, mouthwashes and the like can effect our preliminary breath tests and also interlock devices,''

Victoria runs one of the world's biggest interlock programs, said VicRoads spokeswoman Mary Fall.

"Thousands of trips where someone might have driven under the influence of alcohol have been prevented from interlock devices," she said.

"We certainly see them as an effective tool in terms of stopping drink driving."