An alcohol breath test is a simple procedure but with profound impacts. The rising impaired driving cases have reached an alarming level, calling for stricter laws. Drink driving is a criminal offense in Australia, wherein a driver is incapable of controlling a vehicle safely. It is a key risk factor for road injuries and accidents, thus, making them a significant public health and safety concern. Additionally, you can be charged with drink driving if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit (0.05%). At this BAC level or higher, the person has trouble coordinating their movements or assessing road dangers. It also can affect our senses like vision, hearing, and reasoning, which are critical when driving. Therefore, many people have started looking for a “breath test near me” to avoid accidents or legal charges.
What is an Alcohol Breath Test?
Is there a breath test near me that can check for alcohol? You may have seen police officers in road inspections asking drivers to blow into a device, or you may have performed them yourself. An alcohol breath test is a process of analysing the breath sample for the presence or concentration of alcohol in a person’s system. A compact-sized device called a breath analyser or breathalyser takes a sample of deep lung air to measure the BAC level. Law enforcement first used breathalysers to conduct roadside testing. It is an efficient tool to determine a person’s intoxication level objectively. The device can process breath samples and display the BAC results within seconds. If your BAC goes over the limit, you will face swift and severe corresponding penalties.
Many people searched for a “breath test near me” to know if they could check their alcohol level before driving. For instance, knowing your BAC after consuming alcohol helps you know if you are legally allowed to drive. It is better than taking the risk and seeing your alcohol level after police officers have pulled you out in a roadside inspection. Fortunately, breathalyser technology has become more affordable, allowing individuals to acquire them for personal use. Breathalysers Australia has a wide array of alcohol testers to help people moderate their alcohol consumption and remain safe on the road.
When Can Police Breath Test Me?
Road users impaired by alcohol increase the risks of accidents. For that reason, the government enact countermeasures to reduce drink driving cases. The concrete actions include putting more sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing. A person may feel the aftereffects of alcohol right after consumption. Alcohol molecules pass through the bloodstream and into different body parts. Depending on the amount of intake, impairment can be evident within minutes. Checking for a “breath test near me” online can help ensure safe journeys. The breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia can help determine how intoxicated a person is. Furthermore, it is also important to note that even low-range driving can still pose safety risks. Even a minor amount of alcohol can affect your driving abilities. When driving, a police officer can pull you over and perform sobriety tests for the following reasons:
- Weaving, drifting or swerving – When a vehicle switch lanes frequently and dangerously.
- Tailgating – Following too closely behind another motorist. It is aggressive or poor driving behaviour that may result in rear-end collisions.
- Speeding and Braking – An intoxicated driver is likely to accelerate and decelerate rapidly. In addition, the driver can go below or above the speed limits which may cause car crashes.
Additionally, police officers will ask you to perform a breath test if they notice the following signs:
- Slurred speech
- Poor balance in walking or standing
- Strong alcohol odour in the breath
- Bloodshot eyes
Kinds of Alcohol Testing Devices
You can search for a “breath test near me” to look for available nearby facilities. Laboratory services offer alcohol testing for walk-in individuals or on-site workplace tests. They used advanced devices to estimate the BAC level accurately. Although laboratory services are accurate, they are less accessible for BAC checking, especially when you are out consuming alcohol at a restaurant, or a friend’s house. Alternatively, you can use the personal breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia to check your BAC level at any time. Breathalysers use two main sensor types: semiconductor and fuel cell sensors. Knowing how each sensor performs can help you decide which is the best breathalyser to get.
- Semiconductor sensor – These breathalysers use oxide sensors to estimate the BAC level. When alcohol molecules reach the oxide sensors, they create a chemical reaction or electrical charge based on the volume of alcohol present. These sensors are a lot cheaper compared to fuel cell sensors. However, semiconductor sensors can react with other substances in the breath other than ethanol. This can affect the reliability of the test.
- Fuel cell sensor – In a fuel cell breathalyser, the breath goes through a fuel cell with dual platinum electrodes. The oxidisation of alcohol takes place producing small electrical currents. Additionally, fuel cell sensors have a larger surface area to measure the alcohol concentrations accurately. Finally, the device converts the electrical currents into BAC.
Where to Get a Breathalyser
You would no longer need to look for a “breath test near me” online if you opt for a personal breathalyser. After knowing each sensor type, you may now choose which breathalyser you need or prefer. Semiconductor breathalysers are very affordable options. However, their reliability can sometimes be questionable. On the other hand, for better reliability, you can go for a fuel cell breathalyser to precisely check your BAC. You may look for portable breath testers in your nearest stores like Harvey Norman. Ask for BACtrack to select different breathalyser devices. For example, you may choose pro-grade breathalysers like the BACtrack S80 Pro and Mobile Pro. They use fuel cell sensors, the same technology that law enforcement use.
You may also check Breathalysers Australia online to get a BACtrack breathalyser. Each device has unique features to match your needs. You may also get a breathalyser with smartphone connectivity to access your BAC results directly from your phone. Furthermore, through the ZeroLine technology of BACtrack, you can estimate how long your BAC level will return to 0.00%. Therefore, you would no longer depend on searching for a “breath test near me” with BACtrack. Even if you are in a remote location, you can always check your BAC.
The Importance of Alcohol Breath Tests
To practice safe and responsible driving is to start with being aware of your alcohol or intoxication level. It is best to plan ahead how to commute if you plan on consuming alcohol. For example, you could go with a sober friend who will drive for you or take a taxi or bus home. Conducting a breath test is an effective measure to reduce the associated risks of alcohol. Breathalysers Australia offers different BACtrack devices suiting personal or professional needs. Instead of looking for a “breath test near me,” a breathalyser can help you know your impairment degree instantly.
