Are Breathalyzers accurate?

The universally accepted fact, is that the actual readings from breathalyzers and the actual amount of BAC in the blood varies around 15%. This causes some problems when they are using these readings to convict people of serious crimes like drunk driving and driving under the influence (DUI). The problem is that about 1 in 4 of the tests that people are given are going to show higher levels than they actually have. A lot of people are arguing that until the breathalyzers can be proved to be more accurate.

The facts show, without doubt, that there will be many cases of those who show up as being over the legal limit, are not actually, and therefore will get false convictions. This system has been prove to be faulty and therefore there are many groups and individuals who are adamantly against the breathalyzer being used as a valid source of determination for drunk driving. With these kinds of facts going against the current breathalyzers being used to day, there is something not quite right with this situation.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Because the laws in the U.S. are based on the assumption that we are innocent until proven guilty, when a judge determines that a citizen is guilty of a DWI, they are essentially breaking this rule of judgement when there is an abundant source of information backing up the fact that these certain individuals could be in the percentage that the BAC is showing amounts that are incorrect.

If we let systems like this stay in place, we are opening a doorway for other systems that are unreliable at the same level to be used for just as important life changing decisions and effects. It is very important that the systems we use for such important matters be at the best level possible. Anyone who has been charged with a DWI will testify that it has been one of, if not the most harmful event that has ever happened to them, and until a system is in place that gives near perfect accuracy, all of the decisions will be tainted until that point is reached.