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Breathalyzers – what types are there and can you rely on them?
Breathalyzers – what types are there and can you rely on them?
Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and is a violation of the law that may even result in a prison sentence. Breathalyzers are devices that help check whether we can get behind the wheel without any problems.
What are breathalyzers and why is it worth buying them?
Alcohol negatively affects your ability to drive. It contributes to a decline in reflexes, worsens motor skills, and may cause incorrect assessment of road situations. In 2019 alone, there were 1655 accidents caused by drunk drivers, in which 192 people died and 2015 were injured.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is simply dangerous, and the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol are serious. According to Polish law, the permissible concentration of alcohol in a driver's blood is 0,2 per mille. A value of 0,2 to 0,5 per mille, defined as being under the influence of alcohol, is an offense punishable by a fine from PLN 50 to PLN 5000 or arrest for up to 30 days, a driving ban from 6 months to 3 years and 10 points. penalties.
Driving under the influence of alcohol when the alcohol concentration exceeds 0,5 per mille is a crime. This may result in a fine (dependent on income), restriction of liberty or imprisonment of up to 2 years. A driving ban may be up to 10 years, and if a driver under the influence of alcohol causes an accident in which people are injured or killed, the driving license may be revoked for life. In the event of recidivism, the court may impose a prison sentence of up to 5 years. We write more about why you should be careful about drinking alcohol before setting off on a trip in the text Promille on the road.
Before driving, you can use the online permille calculator. It assesses the state of sobriety based on the amount of alcohol consumed, the time that has passed since drinking it and the driver's physical characteristics, such as body weight or height. However, the permille calculator only provides an estimated result. Based on such calculations, you should not get behind the wheel.
If you have any doubts about your sobriety, you can do two things: stop driving or take a breathalyzer test. This is a device that checks the concentration of alcohol in exhaled air. We do not have to take the measurement at the police station. We can get our own alkotest. It is worth using such a device even if you drank a small amount of alcohol the night before, for example 2-3 beers.
What types of breathalyzers are there and how do they work?
The basic accessory for sobriety control is one-time breathalyzer test. It is a simple instrument that does not require calibration. There are no electronic components. Instead, a chemical reagent is used. If after blowing into the mouthpiece the substance changes color (for example from white to red), it means that we are still under the influence of alcohol.
We can also supply electronic breathalyzer, which can be used many times. This type of equipment comes in several variants. Due to the sensor used, testers are distinguished:
- semiconductor – popular and relatively cheap, which work based on the change in resistance after detecting alcohol in the air; this type of breathalyzers are sensitive to nicotine, acetone or hydrocarbons, and the measurement may be influenced by cigarette smoking, consumed food or humidity;
- electrochemical – more advanced electronic breathalyzers that measure alcohol concentration in the process of ethanol oxidation by chemical compounds; such equipment only detects alcohol molecules, other substances do not affect the result; Electrochemical sensors are used, among others, in police breathalyzers;
- spectrophotometric – alcohol concentration is detected using the infrared spectrum; this is an expensive solution, breathalyzers with this type of technology are mainly stationary equipment used by the police, hospitals and courts.
How to use a breathalyzer correctly?
Using a breathalyzer is not complicated. Since the tester checks the alcohol concentration in the exhaled air, you should blow hard enough into the mouthpiece attached to the device.
The amount of exhaled air and the time needed for measurement depend on the device. The result will appear on the display, will be signaled by a diode or the color of the reagent will change, in the case of a disposable breathalyzer.
To obtain the most accurate result, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with clean water before taking the measurement. This is especially important in the case of disposable breathalyzers and electronic breathalyzers with a semiconductor sensor.
We can repeat the sobriety test several times. Let's wait 10-15 minutes and blow again breathalyser. If three consecutive results are close to each other, we will be more confident that the reported alcohol concentration is correct.
It is good to keep the electronic breathalyzer at a high level of charge. A weak battery may prevent the sensor from heating up to the temperature required to provide a correct result. Do not blow into the breathalyzer immediately after drinking alcohol. First, it may damage the sensor. Secondly, the result will be false. It may take several dozen minutes or even several hours for the alcohol to be absorbed (after a large meal).
Breathalyzers – correct use
Breathalyzer calibration – what is it and how to do it?
For an electronic breathalyzer to be accurate and correctly measure permille in exhaled air, it should be calibrated periodically. The sensor in the breathalyzer is a sensitive component. Its operation may be affected by storage temperature (it should not be too high or low, so it should not be kept in the car in winter or summer), humidity or smoke.
It is recommended to calibrate at least every 200-300 cycles. The device itself can indicate when service is required by displaying the message SER (service) or CAL (calibration). The service should be performed by specialists.
How much do good breathalyzers cost?
A one-time breathalyzer test costs a few or a dozen zlotys. You have to pay PLN 100-200 for a decent breathalyzer with a semiconductor sensor. Devices with an electrochemical sensor are more expensive. Such equipment costs from approximately PLN 200 to PLN 1000. Prices of professional breathalyzers exceed PLN 1500.
The cost of buying a good breathalyzer is equivalent to filling a tank full of fuel, and good equipment will last a long time. Let's remember that safety has no price, and a simple examination can prevent you from making a very bad decision, which is driving under the influence of alcohol. We write more about the necessary equipment, among others: in text Reflective vest – when should you wear it and what should you pay attention to?. We also recommend getting to know 8 rules of a responsible driver, prepared by rally champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz.
