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By ArizonaDUI.com, May 4, 2010 10:32 am

Alcohol has proven to be statistically related to fatal automobile crashes many years ago. Studies have shown that even low doses of alcohol will impair one’s visual perceptions and reaction times.

And for the longest time, there seemed to be no sure-proof, accurate way for arresting officers to prove that a person had been drinking prior to getting behind the wheel other than based solely on one’s demeanor. In the cases of obvious intoxication, sure, but what about all the mild drinkers?

The earliest tests for measuring blood-alcohol content were based upon venous blood samples. And then the first breath-testing device, the “Breathalyzer,” was developed by Robert Borkenstein in 1954. And in more recent years, Interlock systems have been developed.

An interlock system is a device that measures Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC) and prevents a car from starting if the operator has been drinking. This device requires drivers to blow into a Breathalyzer before starting their car (an obvious change in driver behavior). If the breath test system registers alcohol above the legal limit, the vehicle will not start.

This type of device sounds great for preventing people from driving after having had a few cocktails, but there are some negatives associated with them.

These systems currently being sold in the U.S. and around the world are visible interlock system devices. One that might exist in the family car creates an undeniable social stigma that not only the driver, but also the driver’s children and family, must deal with on a daily basis. One major problem with these visible interlock systems is that people won’t install them in their cars because of the social stigma associated with them.

Interlock devices have also been criticized because they require drivers to blow into the device before the car will start as well as after driving for a period of time, so drivers must be able to safely pull over and repeat the test when the machine tells them to. This isn’t practical or safe.

Interlock systems are not wholly reliable or accurate and often need to be recalibrated. They may work for some offenders in some contexts, but not for all offenders in all situations.

Photo used under Creative Commons from Nightlife Of Revelry

While a great idea and a device that has prevented many an intoxicated driver from getting behind the wheel, our American law enforcement has yet to come up with a sure-fire way to test and prove one’s degree of intoxication as an exact measure.

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By ArizonaDUI.com, March 26, 2010 2:01 pm

Flickr User: old town drafting

It’s most bars’ mission to serve customers with good food and drink while providing a fun and friendly atmosphere. And let’s be honest, it doesn’t hurt a bar’s bottom line to see its patrons indulging in a few too many, ultimately racking up large bar tabs.

But there’s another thing that has been racking up within recent years…and that’s the increase in DUI cases in Arizona.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, DUI arrests were up about 35 percent from 2008 to 2009.

One bar located in northeast Phoenix hopes to be on the proactive side of things, helping promote responsible drinking.

Tilted Kilt owner Kerry Phelps says he’s seen far too many people end up having more to drink than they planned but still feel they are OK to drive.

Which is why he installed an Alco-Checkpoint breathalyzer device in his establishment located at 7077 E. Bell Road.

He hopes the breathalyzer unit will raise customers’ awareness, as well as keep them from driving drunk.

“We want people to have a good time,” he said. “I’d rather be on the forefront of things, and if that affects my business negatively, then so be it,” says Phelps.

Phelps’ decision to install the Alco-Checkpoint could be starting a trend for other establishments to help combat drunk driving.

At this time the Tilted Kilt and The Vine Tavern in Tempe are the only two establishments in the valley with breath analyzers.

Phelps recommends that guests use the machine 10 minutes after drinking or smoking cigarettes in order to get the most accurate reading.

The Alco-Checkpoint device is similar to the hand-held breath analyzers already on the market. While never 100% accurate, if calibrated properly, the device should give a reading accurate within 0.01 of a person’s blood alcohol level.

The blood-alcohol-content reading cannot be used in court, and there is a disclaimer on the machine stating that it is for novelty use only.

The Tilted Kilt knows that their device can’t be the be-all, end-all say in whether a person should drive or not, they hope it promotes a positive message…the message of “Don’t drink and drive.”

The Alco-Checkpoint device is an entertaining machine that emulates responsibility, and may be coming to your friendly neighborhood bar soon.

This post was intended to provide general information only and is not intended as specific legal advice. You should not rely upon this information alone, but should consult legal counsel regarding the application of the laws and regulations discussed and as applied to your specific case or circumstance.

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By ArizonaDUI.com, February 25, 2010 9:06 am

It’s not a bad idea to buy an alcohol breath tester—more commonly known as a Breathalyzer—to have for your own personal use. They can be a great tool for everyone, not just police.

Because a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) varies based on so many different factors (i.e. weight, muscle mass, recently consumed food, etc.), it’s hard for people to really ever truly know just how much alcohol is affecting their bodies on any given occasion.

That sounds all fine and dandy and it seems that owning a Breathalyzer can be a wise decision. In fact, owning a Breathalyzer may land you the MVP title because everyone will come to you and want to test their BAC levels before deciding to drive or catch a ride home.

So it seems like a no-brainer to have this device as an efficient and smart way to measure your BAC levels, but you want to know if consumer models are accurate and reliable.

While breathalyzers have certain levels of accuracy, they are generally not accepted as a completely accurate way of measuring a person’s blood alcohol content. Therefore, trust should not be placed in any Breathalyzer that a person is below any legal limit, or is “sober.” Breathalyzers can be misused, misread, and miscalibrated—consumer models as well as the ‘more professional ones’ police use.

Develop realistic expectations about the accuracy of breathalyzers and from there, determine whether purchasing one is still something you feel is a wise move.

Flickr User: Morgan.Davis

Depending on how much you plan to rely on a Breathalyzer and how accurate you want it to be, you can decide to purchase an inexpensive Breathalyzer, or a more expensive model. You may find that a cheap Breathalyzer, with a higher tolerance of error suits your needs. The least expensive breathalyzers start at around seventy dollars. There are more expensive breathalyzers available, with a greater degree of accuracy. More expensive breathalyzers analyze the breath sample more thoroughly, and usually have more advanced sensors. These breathalyzers cost anywhere between 120 to 200 dollars or more.

If you decide you want to purchase one, a good place to start looking at breathalyzers is www.breathalyzer.net. Many of the models sold there have been FDA approved, are DOT-approved and many law enforcement agencies use these testers for preliminary screening of DUI suspects. These breathalyzers offer many benefits, including low cost, low power consumption and small size.

This post was intended to provide general information only and is not intended as specific legal advice. You should not rely upon this information alone, but should consult legal counsel regarding the application of the laws and regulations discussed and as applied to your specific case or circumstance.