What must an individual avoid for 20 minutes prior to taking a breath test?

An individual must avoid eating, drinking, or smoking for 20 minutes prior to taking a breath test because these actions can significantly affect the accuracy of the test results. Consuming food or beverages can introduce substances into the mouth that may lead to false readings by the Intoxilyzer, as residues can remain in the mouth and be detected during the breath test. Similarly, smoking can leave tobacco residues that might also contribute to erroneous results. This 20-minute waiting period is crucial to ensure that any potential contaminants are cleared from the oral cavity, thus providing a more accurate measurement of the blood alcohol concentration from the breath sample.

Resting or refraining from physical activity, as well as avoiding conversation and using mouthwash, while also important, typically do not have the same direct impact on the presence of substances that could interfere with the measurement as eating, drinking, or smoking does.