|
Breathalyzers: Your Own Judgment May Not Be As Reliable |
|
Written by Robin Saunders
|
|
Monday, 14 December 2009 08:36 |
|
You probably know that a breathalyzer is something that the police use to test blood alcohol levels, such as when a motorist is suspected of driving under the influence. However, what you probably don't know is how these instruments work. Breathalyzers actually measure the level of alcohol present in the lungs; from this, the blood alcohol level can be determined. While the standard field sobriety tests such as having someone walk a straight line are useful in identifying motorists who are severely impaired by alcohol, the accuracy of these tests varies widely. A breathalyzer, on the other hand, is both quick and accurate.
by RobinSaunders
You probably know that a breathalyzer is something that the police use to test blood alcohol levels, such as when a motorist is suspected of driving under the influence. However, what you probably don't know is how these instruments work. Breathalyzers actually measure the level of alcohol present in the lungs; from this, the blood alcohol level can be determined. While the standard field sobriety tests such as having someone walk a straight line are useful in identifying motorists who are severely impaired by alcohol, the accuracy of these tests varies widely. A breathalyzer, on the other hand, is both quick and accurate.
However, breathalyzers are not the sole province of the police and there are a variety of different models available to consumers, with prices running anywhere from $40 to $500 or more. There are a wide range of styles and sizes, including small breathalyzers used in bars and large models for professional use. Mouthpieces are used on most models, though not every breathalyzer requires this. Models which do not use a mouthpiece are well suited for heavy use, allowing the user to reduce the cost of purchasing additional mouthpieces and save time otherwise spent cleaning and sanitizing these accessories. The cheaper breathalyzers generally use silicon oxide testers - the higher end models use fuel cell sensors which are more accurate, but of course also more costly.
There are plenty of myths out there about how to fool a breathalyzer. You may have heard that using mouthwash or breath mints can trick these instruments; some even maintain that chewing garlic will do the trick. Unfortunately, since a breathalyzer measures the amount of alcohol in the lungs, none of these will work; and since mouthwash commonly contains alcohol, it can make a breathalyzer think there's more alcohol in your system than is actually the case.
There are many different reasons to use a breathalyzer. Many like to have their own to use when they are drinking alcoholic beverages - and since alcohol is notorious for impairing judgment, a reliable test like a breathalyzer can help you to prevent overindulgence. It's also a great thing to have when you're with friends; you can let someone know beyond a doubt when it's not safe for them to drive or simply that they've had enough without nagging.
Drinking amongst teenagers is on the rise, but a breathalyzer can be a powerful tool to fight against underage drinking. Parents and school staff can use breathalyzers to quickly check students to make sure that they have not been indulging; something which is especially important at school-sponsored events such as dances where teenagers may drink and drive without a breathalyzer being used to discourage this behavior.
A breathalyzer is an important tool that can save lives. It can objectively defeat denial in awkward situations, and give peace of mind in benign ones. Owning a breathalyzer is a responsible choice for casual to more hard-core drinkers, friends, parents, and anyone that comes into contact with alcohol, especially when driving is involved. They can be inexpensive, tailored to particular needs, and be simple enough that anyone can use one.
About the Author:
Authored by Robin Saunders, an accomplished writer that deals with different subjects including alcohol, DUI, alcohol tester etc. The author highly recommends Alcohawk, find out why it's one of the best testers available today. |
