That new car smell could place a driver at risk for a DUI charge because of a certain chemical in that new showroom smell.

One of the compounds that a person smells with a new car is acetone. Acetone is one of many chemical compounds which breathalyzers will in error report as alcohol.

The driver doesn't have drink the compound, the breathalyzer will register it through skin absorption and/or by inhalation.

Reference sources and experts mention that the breathalyzer can detect measurable acetone levels in the body for hours or even days.