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Can Hand Sanitiser Affect a Drink Driving Breathalyser Test?
Introduction
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser has become widely used in everyday life. However, many motorists are surprised to learn that the alcohol contained in these products can sometimes interfere with breath alcohol testing.
If you are stopped by police on suspicion of drink driving, you may be required to provide a roadside breath test. In some situations, alcohol vapours from hand sanitiser can affect breath testing equipment and potentially lead to inaccurate readings.
Understanding how breathalyser tests work and when errors may occur is important if you are facing a drink driving investigation.
How Drink Driving Breathalyser Tests Work in the UK
Drink driving investigations in England and Wales usually begin with a roadside breath test.
Police officers use a handheld device to measure the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath. If the result indicates alcohol above the legal limit, the driver may be arrested and taken to a police station for further testing.
At the police station, an evidential breathalyser is used to measure alcohol concentration more accurately.
The current legal limit in England and Wales is:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
This limit is set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988, which governs drink driving offences.
Evidence from evidential breath testing can be used in court to support a charge of driving with excess alcohol.
Why Hand Sanitiser Can Affect Breathalyser Readings
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers typically contain a high concentration of ethanol.
When sanitiser is applied to the hands, it evaporates quickly. This evaporation releases alcohol vapour into the surrounding air.
Because breathalysers are designed to detect alcohol molecules, these vapours can sometimes be detected by the device.
Contamination can occur in several ways:
Alcohol vapour near the device
If sanitiser is used immediately before testing, alcohol vapour may still be present in the air around the breathalyser.
Contamination of the mouthpiece
If sanitiser residue is transferred to the mouthpiece, the device may detect alcohol that was not actually consumed.
Sanitiser used by the test operator
Studies have shown that alcohol vapours from sanitiser used by the person administering the test can influence readings in certain circumstances.
For this reason, breath testing procedures are designed to minimise the risk of contamination.
Scientific Evidence on Hand Sanitiser and Breath Tests
Several scientific studies have examined whether alcohol-based hand sanitisers can affect breath alcohol readings.
Research has shown that:
- Alcohol vapour from sanitiser can sometimes be detected by breath testing equipment.
- False positive results may occur if sanitiser is used immediately before the test.
- Allowing sanitiser to dry or waiting a short period before testing can reduce this risk.
One study found that alcohol-based sanitiser used by the person operating a breathalyser produced positive readings even when the subjects had not consumed alcohol.
Another study concluded that common hand sanitiser could cause elevated breath alcohol readings when vapours were present near the testing device.
These findings demonstrate that environmental alcohol contamination can affect breath testing under certain conditions.
When Breathalyser Results May Be Challenged
Breathalyser evidence is often central to drink driving prosecutions. However, the reliability of the test result may be questioned in certain circumstances.
Examples may include:
- Improper testing procedure
- Equipment malfunction
- Contamination of the device
- Environmental alcohol vapour
- Medical or physiological factors
If a breath test result appears unusually high or inconsistent with the circumstances, further investigation may be required.
In some cases, expert evidence relating to breath testing procedures or scientific reliability may be relevant to the defence.
Police Procedure for Drink Driving Breath Tests
Police officers must follow specific procedures when carrying out breath tests.
These procedures are designed to ensure the result is reliable and admissible in court.
Typical safeguards include:
- Using a new sterile mouthpiece
- Ensuring the device is properly calibrated
- Conducting two evidential breath tests
- Following correct waiting periods before testing
Failure to follow proper procedure could potentially affect the reliability of the evidence.
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What To Do If You Believe Your Breath Test Was Inaccurate
If you are investigated or charged with drink driving, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
A solicitor experienced in motoring offences can examine:
- The breath testing procedure used
- Calibration records for the equipment
- Custody records and police notes
- Possible contamination issues
Early legal advice can be crucial when assessing the evidence and identifying potential defence strategies.
Speak to a Drink Driving Defence Solicitor
Drink driving allegations can carry serious consequences, including disqualification from driving, fines and a criminal conviction.
If you are facing a drink driving investigation or charge, obtaining advice from an experienced criminal defence solicitor can help you understand your legal position and the options available.
Specialist legal advice may be particularly important where there are concerns about the reliability of breath test evidence.
5 Key Takeaways
- Many hand sanitisers contain 60–95% alcohol, which can release vapours into the surrounding air.
- Sensitive breath testing devices may detect alcohol vapour contamination rather than alcohol consumed by the driver.
- Contamination may occur if sanitiser is used immediately before the breath test.
- Scientific research has shown that false positive breathalyser readings can occur in certain circumstances.
- If a breath test result is unreliable, it may form part of a drink driving defence strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
In certain circumstances, alcohol vapour from hand sanitiser may affect sensitive breath testing devices. This is most likely to occur if sanitiser has been used immediately before the test.
Yes. Breathalysers detect alcohol molecules in the breath. Vapours from alcohol-based products may sometimes be detected by the device.
Using hand sanitiser does not mean you will fail a breath test. However, under specific conditions, alcohol vapours may interfere with the reading.
The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Evidential breathalysers used at police stations are highly accurate when operated correctly. However, contamination or procedural errors may affect results in rare cases.
Yes. The reliability of breathalyser evidence may be challenged if there are concerns about testing procedures, equipment accuracy, or contamination.
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