Originally Posted by timwilky

Many years ago, I failed a roadside breath test.

I was gobsmacked, no way. I knew I was under. but the man said "Oh dear sir your nicked" and off I went in the car.

Fortunately, for some reason the intoximeter was out of order and the police surgeon was summoned to extract some blood from my alcohol system. After about 5 months I got the letter though the door I had been dreading.

My blood alcohol was below that... and no further action would be taken. No apology for wasting my time, for locking me in a cell overnight, for putting me through 5 months of torment would I have a job etc.

A breath test is not a reliable method of establishing accurately how much somebody has drunk. It just indicates you have been in the vicinity of alcohol.