More than one million people are arrested each year for drunk driving. The majority of DUI arrests occur because the driver submits to, and fails, a breathalyzer test. But statistics show that the machines used to administer these tests are often unreliable. False positives occur frequently and thousands of breathalyzer test results are thrown out each year by judges across the country.

There are a variety of reasons why false positives occur, including faulty equipment and operator error. There is also another cause for false positives that many people are unaware of that has to do with the type of diet the person taking the test eats. In fact, one popular diet – the keto diet – can actually create false positives on breathalyzer tests.

Keto Diet Issues

When a person eats according to a keto diet, their body goes into a state in which the body becomes more efficient at burning fat for energy. This process is referred to as “ketosis,” and occurs when someone eats only low-carbohydrate foods that include berries, nuts, fatty fish, lean meats, and fresh greens. If the individual is following a keto diet, their body produces an elevated level of ketones.

Most people agree that it can be dangerous to drink and drive. It is also illegal. If you are caught driving your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, you face stiff penalties if you are convicted.

But not every person who police arrest for DUI is actually guilty of the crime. In fact, in many cases, the person has a medical condition that mimics being intoxicated, and this can – and does – lead to false drunk driving arrests.

Diabetes

It is not uncommon for a person who has diabetes to have periods where they are dealing with confusion, loss of coordination, and other similar symptoms of intoxication. However, it is not intoxication that is causing these issues but low blood sugar levels.

In the state of Connecticut, a driver is considered legally drunk if they are operating their vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If the driver is operating under a commercial driver’s license at the time of the arrest, the BAC level is 0.04 percent. If the driver is under the age of 21, the BAC level is 0.02 percent.

Under the state’s driving under the influence laws, even a first-time offender will lose their driving privileges. Subsequent offenders face longer periods of revocation and may even be sentenced to jail.

However, it is important to understand that a DUI conviction has even further-reaching effects and can have a significant impact on the person’s personal and professional life. The following are just some of the ways a conviction can wreak havoc on your future.

The month of December brings with it many gatherings and parties. For a lot of people, this also means alcohol may be enjoyed. Unfortunately, it also means that some people may find themselves facing a drunk driving charge as we ring in the New Year. If you find yourself facing DUI charges in Connecticut, there may be some viable defense options that a skilled criminal defense attorney can use to defend you.

Chemical Tests

When a driver is stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence, there is a strong possibility that the officer who has pulled the driver over will insist on some kind of chemical testing. In many cases, the officer will conduct a breath test at the scene, however, there are also scenarios where law enforcement will obtain a warrant for a blood test.

Both tests will show what the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is. In Connecticut, a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher means that the driver is legally driving under the influence and will be arrested. However, it is critical for a person who has been charged with a DUI to understand that there are circumstances where their attorney may be able to challenge the validity of those test results in court.

As October winds down and we enter the last weekend of the month, many people will be attending Halloween parties and other festivities. Many people will also be drinking alcohol at these events. Unfortunately, drunk driving is responsible for almost half of the car accident fatalities that occur Halloween night. There is also a high rate of pedestrian deaths that are alcohol-related, more than 25 percent.

These high statistics have led to more and more law enforcement patrolling roads, watching out for drunk drivers. There are also many DUI checkpoints that are set up in the effort to keep drivers under the influence of alcohol off the roads. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you could be facing significant penalties depending on the circumstances of your arrest.

DUI in Connecticut

Under Connecticut law, if you are operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher, you will be arrested and charged with DUI. If you are under the age of 21, a BAC of .02 percent or higher will get you charged.