ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The creators of a new product called Breathalyzer Equalizer insist it can help sober drivers avoid false arrests caused by inaccurate field breath tests.
"I thought to myself, is there any way we could prevent some of what I call false positives," said Preston Haliburton. Haliburton, an attorney, teamed up with former state patrol sergeant Ron Lloyd and plastic surgeon McCoy Moretz to create the powder which is made of carbon-based minerals.
"They absorb the alcohol that's in the mouth," said Dr. Moretz. Residual alcohol in the mouth can give high results on breath tests called "false positives," according to a training manual compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The manual recommends police officers wait up to 20 minutes for mouth alcohol to evaporate before conducting a breath test.
The creators of Breathalyzer Equalizer claimed their product reduces the mouth alcohol almost immediately, which gives more accurate breath test results.
Critics argue the Breathalyzer Equalizer protects drunk drivers from getting arrested. Haliburton responded that the product is only for sober drivers and that no amount of his product can help a drunk get out of a DUI.
Barry Martin, Georgia office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving said Breathalyzer Equalizer is "unnecessary and can lead to dangerous circumstances."
Martin said eating bread and drinking water can reduce mouth alcohol as well as the new powder. Martin said he fears some drunk drivers may get a false sense of security from the powder and get behind the wheel.
While breath test results cannot be used to convict drivers of driving under the influence, they can be used to arrest a driver. Haliburton said an arrest alone can be costly and destroy a person's family life and career.
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