Portable Breath Testing Devices

 

Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol in the United States is a major crime punishable by fines, license suspension, license revocation, jail time, community service, rehabilitation and/or the installation of an ignition interlock device. Any police officer in the country who has reasonable cause that you have been driving while intoxicated can issue you a breath test with their portable testing device. These devices are not only available to police officers but also to the public. Anyone can purchase a portable breath test device if they feel the need to check their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at any point during the day.

 

Costs

 

Portable breath test devices are very expensive to purchase, both for law enforcement agencies and individuals, costing as much as $500 per unit when not on sale. Other organizations, such as high schools and colleges, purchase portable breath test devices in order to submit their students to random breath tests before entering major events. Those major events include sporting games, homecoming festivities, dances and even graduation ceremonies. Some of the most affordable portable breath testing devices come in small briefcases or protective kits so the devices are not damaged in any way.

 

Digital Breathalyzer Test Device

 

The most common type of portably breath testing device on the market today is the digital breathalyzer. The digital breathalyzer is small enough to fit into your purse, your backpack, your briefcase and even your pocket. If you know you will be attending a party after class or work, bringing this device along with you can help to save your life. Taking only five minutes out of your night to use the digital device can make you realize you should find a ride home.

 

The digital breathalyzer comes with lights that illuminate the target area for you to blow into when testing your BAC, a screen that can be seen in the darkest rooms, and a carrying case. These breathalyzers are used by police officers, academic officials, and even members of the public who wish to know their BAC prior leaving an establishment.

 

Digital Keychain Breathalyzer Test Device

 

Another popular breathalyzer test device on the market today is the digital device that is small enough to be carried around on a keychain. These devices are so popular because of their affordability, their ease of access, and how easy they are to carry around. Not a lot of police officers use this type of breathalyzer because they might not be as accurate as law enforcement officials would like them to be for testing a person’s BAC.

 

Breathalyzer Kit

 

The most common type of breathalyzer device used by law enforcement officials today is the breathalyzer kit. This is when the device comes in a protective case with a charger, extra pieces of equipment that are attached to the blowing zone, and backup batteries. The major benefits of this device include the following:

 

• No false positives: these devices use fuel cells that specifically detect and measure alcohol in the blood stream of the offender.
• Calibration: fuel cell devices such as these are very easy to calibrate, which helps them come up with the most accurate readings.
• Lifespan: the life expectancy of fuel cell devices such as these ranges from 6-8 years at a time with no limit placed on the number of tests that can be done with the device.
• Training programs: most fuel cell devices are backed by lifelong warranties and training programs from the company who sells the devices.

 

Anyone wishing to purchase a portable breath testing device can do so without being questioned by law enforcement. In fact, there are some law enforcement agencies in the United States who encourage the public to purchase these devices in an effort to reduce the number of highway accidents and fatalities tied to drunken driving. There are even some law enforcement agencies that will hand out these devices to the public after major events such as concerts, fairs, sporting events and other public gatherings where alcohol is present. This action is much like fire departments installing smoke detectors for free in the homes of underprivileged people living in their district in order to promote fire safety.