The only foolproof method to pass a breathalyzer is to avoid the situation entirely. Don’t drink enough to hit the legal limit. Simple. But if you’re stuck in a hypothetical corner, you might be wondering how people claim to beat the machine. We’re diving into the mechanics of breath testing to see if sucking on pennies actually drops your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). We’ll also tear down other urban legends about tricking these devices and see which ones have any truth to them.
The Penny Theory Explained
There’s a persistent myth that chewing or sucking on copper pennies can lower your breath test result. The logic is that the zinc and copper, along with decades of grime from circulation, alter your saliva’s chemical composition. This supposedly neutralizes alcohol or coats the mouth. Some versions claim more pennies are better, provided you spit them out before the officer arrives. The idea is that the machine gets confused by the new chemical data and either fails or gives a falsely low number.
Why It Doesn’t Work
You’ve had a few drinks but aren’t drunk. You see the checkpoint. Do you shove a dollar’s worth of copper into your mouth? No. It doesn’t work. The strategy relies on the breathalyzer measuring alcohol in a way that substances can alter. Modern devices use infrared light. The light passes through your breath sample. Its intensity changes based on alcohol presence. The device calculates your BAC from that shift. It’s a precise optical measurement. It is nearly impossible to fool with saliva tricks.
Old Tech vs. New Tech
The idea of tricking a breathalyzer isn’t entirely baseless. It’s just outdated. Decades ago, some devices relied on chemical reactions to detect alcohol. Those older models were easier to manipulate with pennies or other household items. But for at least ten years, the technology has evolved. The portable breathalyzers used today measure deep lung air. That air’s alcohol concentration mirrors your blood level. You can’t mask it.
Debunking Common Myths
If you’re looking for other ways to fake a lower BAC, you’re likely to find several dead ends. Attempting to trick a breathalyzer can carry legal risks. Here is why the most common methods fail.
Mouthwash and Breath Sprays
Many believe a quick spray masks the odor. Most mouthwashes and sprays contain alcohol themselves. Using them before a test often spikes your reading. You’re not hiding the alcohol; you’re adding more. This method backfires instantly.
Mints and Strong Foods
The theory is that strong odors confuse the officer or the machine. Breathalyzers do not smell your breath. They measure molecular alcohol levels. Mints might make your breath smell like wintergreen, but the device will still detect the ethanol in your lungs. It’s ineffective.
Hyperventilating and Holding Breath
Some think changing their breathing pattern lowers BAC. Hyperventilating or holding your breath might slightly alter the breath sample’s composition. It does not change the alcohol concentration in your bloodstream. Breathalyzers target deep lung air. Shallow breathing or forced exhalation doesn’t fool the sensor.
Water and Food Dilution
Drinking gallons of water or stuffing your face with food is another popular myth. Hydration and food affect alcohol absorption rates. They do not dilute the alcohol already in your blood by the time you’re tested. The device measures vapor from your lungs. Stomach contents are irrelevant to the sensor.
The Only Reliable Strategy
These legends offer no protection. You cannot hack the infrared sensors with copper or mints. The best way to pass a breathalyzer is to keep your BAC below the legal limit. Law enforcement and manufacturers have built these devices to be accurate. Simple gimmicks don’t stand a chance.
This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
