Breathalyzer Use at Westwood, MA High School Inappropriate and Inaccurate, says DUI Lawyer

Requiring high school students to pass an alcohol breath test to enter their prom is an inappropriate use of these devices, says a Massachusetts Drunk Driving Lawyer. These devices are inaccurate and highly subject to false positives when used as a "zero tolerance" measure.

(PRWEB) March 26, 2005

The Boston area news media has been reporting that the Westwood High School in Westwood, MA will require that students take and pass a breathalyzer test to be admitted to the school prom and other school dances. It is supposed to be a response to recent problems with students drinking, but according to prominent Massachusetts DUI Lawyer Russell Matson, this is an entirely inappropriate use of these devices.

"A breathalyzer or breath test device is simply not designed to be accurate in detecting low levels of alcohol use, and is inappropriate for this purpose", said Attorney Matson. He added, "In my drunk driving legal practice, I've seen countless ways to induce a false positive response from these devices, including taking mouthwash or eating certain foods such as breads or Altoids mints. In addition, there are a number of medical & stomach conditions that can also trigger a response. There have also been cases where breath test machines can mistakenly indicate alcohol consumption in someone who is on a high protein diet, which is quite common among student athletes."

According to reports, the school will be require students to breath lightly into an alcohol sensing device the size of a flashlight. "These portable breath test devices in particular are so notoriously inaccurate that they are inadmissible as evidence in Massachusetts courts", Matson said.

Students who are detected to have consumed any alcohol will be removed from the dance, and they will face suspension from school. Attorney Matson went on to say "It would be absolutely unfair and wrong for any student to be suspended from school based on evidence from a device with no scientific accuracy or legal legitimacy".

For more information about issues with breathalyzers, alcohol breath test devices, or other drunk driving / DUI legal issues, contact MA DUI Lawyer Russell Matson at (781)964-4898, or refer to his web site, http://www.madrunkdrivingdefense.com

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