So you think you can cheat the breathalyser...

SPAIN A series of myths exist in Spain (and elsewhere) that certain methods or actions can trick a breathalyser into reducing the alcohol level showing on a breathalyser at a roadside test. Among these are drinking black coffee or even sucking on a coffee grain. There are more, but we should start with a statistic. Spain's National Institute of Toxicology revealed in a recent survey that 35% of drivers killed in road accidents last year, showed positive on post-mortem blood/alcohol tests. All the same, there are a number of urban myths that supposedly bely the truth of science. So, a study titled published recently by Fesvial (Fundación Española para la Seguridad Vial) and Línea Directa, the insurance company, reveals that some 8 million drivers (about 30% of total license holders) really do believe that there are tricks that cheat roadside breath tests. Among the more 'popular' are>>>

Drunk Jimena driver sentenced in Jerez

Avda. Alcalde Álvaro Domecq, Jerez

Police had to transport confiscated vehicle with driver aboard because of 'the state he was in'

JEREZ (Agencies) A 41 year old resident of Jimena answering to the initials J.B.Z., was yesterday sentenced to a €1,100 fine plus a year and three months' suspension of his driving licence because of an incident that happened on April 2 last year, during a motorbike rally in that town. His erratic behaviour on a three-wheeler drew the attention of the police on Jerez's main avenue, Álvaro Domecq. The police report says he was "not wearing a helmet, lifting the vehicle's front wheel off the ground and accelerating unnecessarily." When he was stopped, they "observed evident signs of heavy drinking." The breathalyzer registered 0.75 mg of alcohol per litre of blood (legal limit: 0.25). The three-wheeled motorbike had to be was confiscated and had to be taken away with the driver still on board because of "the state of drunkenness he was in," according to one police witness.

Councillor gets 4 months for police incident

Councillor Carlos Bezares

SAN ROQUE (Agencies) Councillor for Tourism Carlos Bezares (PSOE) was sentenced on Monday to 4 months in prison and 16 without driving licence, after a court, in 'speed trial' (juicio rápido), confirmed that he disobeyed police instructions last Friday when he was asked to take a breathalyser test, as well as 'committing an offence against road safety', according to sources. These also say that he showed  'all the symptoms of drunk driving.' The incident occurred in Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro, when the councillor saw a police control and made a manoeuvre to evade it. The police stopped him not knowing who it was. He was asked for his documentation and to take a breathalyser test, which he refused. He was reported to his superiors as well as to the court, since 'disobedience is an offence', as the police report. 

Gibraltar driver arrested for dangerous and drunk driving

LA LÍNEA (Agencies) An 18 year old driver from Gibraltar was arrested after a chase in the Zabal industrial estate (photo, illustration only) this weekend. The Gib-registered vehicle had been followed by another car, with which it is alleged it had had an accident but had run from the scene. The young man drove onto a dirt track to hide from the police but was traced, whereupon it was evident that the driver was intoxicated. He and his vehicle were placed under arrest and temporary confiscation, respectively.

Two drunk drivers involved in separate mayhem on the same night

ALGECIRAS (Press release) The first accident happened at 4am on Saturday morning, when a 25 year old driver came off the road on Avenida Aguamarina, causing destruction or damage to a tree, two trafffic signs, one panel and the turf. He was also accused of damage to municipal property. The second incident was at 6:15 that same morning, when a policeman noticed a car passing in front of the station with a flat tire. A patrol was called, the car was intercepted. The 28 year old driver, very evidently under the influence, admitted he had hit another car on his travels. It was later discovered that he had in fact hit four parked vehicles.