Personal breathalyzer devices have become increasingly available and affordable – and they promise a quick and easy way to check your blood alcohol content (BAC) if you’ve been drinking so that you can make an informed decision before you drive.
Unfortunately, even with one of these devices, you may be getting bad information – and that can lead to a surprise drunk driving charge if you rely on the device for accuracy.
Quality, calibration and user errors all come into play
Several potential problems with personal breathalyzer devices can affect their accuracy. Most notably:
- The quality of the device can be questionable: Not all personal breathalyzer devices are created equal – and the vast majority of those on the market are not as precise as the professional-grade equipment law enforcement officers use.
- Failures to regularly calibrate the devices are a problem: Over time, sensors can degrade and the mechanisms can be affected simply because the device gets jostled around a lot. Many people don’t realize their devices need to be recalibrated regularly (or know how to do that). Poor calibration means inaccurate readings.
- User error is more common than many people realize: How you use the device can dramatically affect the results you get – and without someone sober there to guide you through the test, you may not get good results. For that matter, even things like how long you wait after drinking before testing (since BAC continues to rise for a while after that last drink is ingested) can lead to misleading results.
In short, the only real way to avoid a DUI is to never drink and drive. A designated driver or using a rideshare service, like Uber or Lyft, is a much safer option. If you make a mistake, however, it’s smartest to protect yourself with legal guidance.