Heidi Norton
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a small breath-testing machine that is wired to your vehicle's ignition and requires you to provide a breath sample before the engine will start. If the IID detects alcohol on your breath, the engine will not start. As you drive, you are periodically required to provide breath samples to ensure you remain sober. The use of an IID is often mandated by a court order following a DUI conviction. However, certain products like perfume, cologne, aftershave, hand sanitizer, and energy drinks contain alcohol and can trigger a false positive on an IID, resulting in an inconvenience or even a violation. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using such products or to take precautions like rinsing your mouth with water or waiting for the alcohol to air dry before providing a breath sample.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wearing perfume | Avoid wearing perfume or cologne as it may contain alcohol which can be detected by the device |
| Using hand sanitizer | Avoid using alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your car as it may cause the device to detect alcohol |
| Eating certain foods | Avoid eating certain foods before blowing as they may cause a false positive |
| Battery | Keep your car's battery in good condition as the device may drain it |
| Drinking alcohol | Do not drink alcohol before using the device |
| Retesting | In case of a false positive, you can rinse your mouth with water and blow again |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol in perfume can cause a false positive
An ignition interlock device (IID) is wired to your vehicle's ignition and requires a breath sample before the engine will start. If the IID detects alcohol on your breath, the engine will not start. As such, alcohol in perfumes can cause a false positive, as it contains alcohol.
Alcohol is a common base for perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves. These products can cause you to appear as though you've been drinking in front of your ignition interlock device. It is recommended that you avoid using perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves before blowing into an IID.
Additionally, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, mouthwash, toothpaste, and certain foods and beverages can also cause false positives. It is important to be mindful of the products you use and consume before providing a breath sample to avoid any inconvenience or potential violations.
To avoid false positives, it is recommended to wait 15 minutes after eating, drinking, or using any of the aforementioned products before providing a breath sample. Rinsing your mouth with water, brushing your teeth, or having a box of bottled water in your car to swish and spit can also help prevent false positives.
It is worth noting that while these products may trigger a temporary fail, it is unlikely that they will cause a permanent lockout. However, it is always better to be cautious and avoid using alcohol-based products before providing a breath sample to your IID.
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Windshield washer fluid can cause a fail
Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are designed to enhance road safety by preventing drunk driving. They do this by requiring a breath sample before the engine will start and periodically during drives. If the IID detects alcohol on the driver's breath, the engine will not start.
However, IIDs rely on fuel cell technology, which cannot distinguish between different types of alcohol, including ethanol and methanol. This can create serious risks for drivers as the device can misread methanol vapours as ethanol, resulting in false positives and harsh penalties, including license suspension.
One common household item that contains methanol and can trigger false positives is windshield washer fluid. The fluid contains approximately 40% methanol, an alcohol used to prevent freezing in cold weather. When the washer fluid hits the windshield, droplets can spread and waft into the vehicle, especially if the windows are open. If an IID user inhales these vapours before blowing into the device, it may register a false blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This can lead to accusations of ignition interlock violations, requiring costly hearings and threatening severe penalties such as long-term license revocation.
To avoid this issue, drivers can take several preventative measures. Firstly, keep the windows closed when using windshield washer fluid and avoid using more than necessary. Secondly, consider wiping down the windshield before driving to reduce the need for fluid while on the road. Additionally, be mindful of the ventilation and defrost systems, as vapours can enter the vehicle through these systems and potentially affect IID readings.
By understanding how windshield washer fluid can impact IID readings and following these simple precautions, drivers can minimize the likelihood of false positives and protect their driving privileges.
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Mouthwash and toothpaste can cause issues
Ignition interlock devices are highly sensitive to alcohol. They are meant to prevent you from starting your car if your breath alcohol content (BAC) is between 0.02 and 0.025. This means that using perfume or cologne can cause a false positive, as these products often contain alcohol.
Toothpaste can also cause issues with ignition interlock devices, particularly if it contains whitening agents. These toothpastes often contain small amounts of alcohol, which can be detected by the device. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least 15 minutes before taking the test and rinse your mouth with water to avoid any issues.
It is important to be mindful of the ingredients in the products you use when you have an ignition interlock device installed. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause a false positive, which can be inconvenient and cause issues with your driving privileges.
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Hand sanitiser can cause a temporary fail
An ignition interlock device (IID) is wired to your vehicle's ignition and requires a breath sample before the engine will start. If the IID detects alcohol on your breath, the engine will not start. As you drive, you are periodically required to provide breath samples to ensure the continued absence of alcohol in your system.
Hand sanitisers often contain alcohol, with concentrations ranging from 60% to 95%. This means that using hand sanitiser can cause a temporary fail when using an ignition interlock device. The alcohol from the hand sanitiser can be detected by the device, resulting in a positive-for-alcohol reading.
To avoid registering an alcohol reading when using an ignition interlock device, it is recommended to take the following precautions when using alcohol-based hand sanitiser:
- Apply the hand sanitiser outside of the car: Using hand sanitiser inside the car increases the likelihood of alcohol vapours being detected by the IID. Applying it outside reduces the concentration of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle.
- Allow the hand sanitiser to air dry completely before entering the car and providing a breath sample: Giving the hand sanitiser time to dry will reduce the amount of alcohol vapour present when you enter the car. Waiting at least 5 minutes after applying hand sanitiser before entering the car or providing a breath sample is recommended.
- Roll down a window to encourage outside air circulation: Increasing ventilation by opening a window can help dissipate alcohol vapours and reduce their concentration inside the vehicle.
- Rinse your mouth with water: Rinsing your mouth with water can help remove any residual alcohol or contaminants that may be present after using hand sanitiser.
While using hand sanitiser can cause a temporary fail, it is unlikely to trigger a permanent lockout. However, it is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid any inconvenience or potential violations.
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Acidic foods can cause a positive result
Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are used to prevent drunk driving. They require a breath sample before the engine will start, and if alcohol is detected, the engine will not start. While these devices are helpful in preventing drunk driving, they can also be triggered by other sources of alcohol, such as perfumes, colognes, and certain foods.
Acidic foods, in particular, have been noted to cause positive results on IIDs. This is because these foods can leave enough alcohol in your mouth to trigger the device. Examples of acidic foods that can cause a positive result include pizza and pasta. Vanilla extract, which is commonly used in baked goods and coffee drinks, contains a high percentage of alcohol and can also lead to a false positive. Kombucha tea is another example of a beverage that contains trace amounts of alcohol that can be detected by an IID.
To avoid a positive result due to acidic foods, it is recommended to eat, drink, and brush your teeth 15 minutes before leaving. Keeping a bottle of water in the car is also advised, so you can wash your mouth before providing a breath sample. Rinsing your mouth with water before taking the test can help remove any contaminants and ensure a more accurate reading.
In addition to acidic foods, there are other products that can cause a positive result on an IID. These include mouthwash, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, energy drinks, and windshield washer fluid. It is important to read the ingredients of products and be mindful of consuming foods or drinks that may contain alcohol before using an IID.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Alcohol is a common base for perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves, and can cause the IID to fail.
Mouthwash, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, hair spray, and energy drinks can all cause an IID to fail.
If you fail an initial test, your car won't start. If you fail a random retest, you will be prompted to pull over safely.
Keep a box of bottled water in your car. If you blow a false positive, you can swish and spit the water before blowing into the IID again.
