Common Questions About Portable Breathalyzers

Portable breathalyzers are for anyone who wants to be able to estimate his or her blood alcohol concentration, whether it be after a night out or to use for random tests to keep your work organization compliant. These convenient personal handheld breathalyzer tests are small, handheld devices that can be easily carried anywhere you need to go. Law enforcement officers often use portable breathalyzers, however, personal breathalyzer devices can be purchased by individuals to use on oneself or loved ones to make sure everyone is getting home safely.

We’ve explained a little bit about how portable breathalyzers are used. While individuals use them to monitor their own drinking, law enforcement also makes use of them to test drivers they suspect of driving under the influence. Personal breathalyzers may also be purchased for certain workplaces where random testing is necessary for compliance. In all cases, they are used to prevent people from driving or operating heavy machinery under the influence of alcohol.

Portable breathalyzers are easy to keep on hand, and the results are given instantly. There is no waiting around involved. DUI prevention is made easy with personal breathalyzers as users can ensure they are not stepping into the driver’s seat if their BrAC result is not within the legal limit. Handheld breathalyzers are easy to use and leave little room for human error, despite any impaired judgment.

Drunk driving causes many accidents. In fact, in 2014, nearly one third of all traffic-related accidents were due to alcohol-impaired driving. The use of personal breathalyzers helps prevent these kinds of accidents and makes the road safer for everyone.

The impact of using a personal breathalyzer is overwhelmingly positive. However, there are a few things some users might consider negative. They're expensive to purchase. Leasing a device is cheaper, but is still an added expense budget-conscious drivers may not appreciate.

Ignition interlock devices can also be leased, and have better accuracy than portable breathalyzers. This may be a better solution for some users.

The best personal breathalyzers are compact, easy to use and accurate. Some can be as large as a smartphone and others as small as a pedometer that hooks onto your pocket or belt loop. Keychain breathalyzers are also available to provide a discreet, yet impactful option. Disposable alcohol tests are helpful in situations where battery life might be an issue if you’re planning to be away from home for a long period of time.

For more on the best drunk driving prevention devices, listen to reviews of Intoxalock products and competitor comparisons to learn how others are utilizing preventative solutions to live and drive responsibly.

Not all devices are exactly alike, but for the most part, performing a portable breathalyzer test on yourself or another individual is simple using the following steps:

• Fasten a mouthpiece to the hand held breathalyzer device.
• Once the device is powered on and the display indicates to “blow”, release a breath sample into the mouthpiece.
• Wait a few seconds for the test result to appear. The result will remain on screen for several seconds to be reviewed.
• To perform another test, simply blow in the mouthpiece once again.

Learn more about how portable breathalyzers are designed and why you should test.