The Reliability Of Portable Breathalyzers

'Tis the season for holiday parties and holiday cocktails. According to a study by WinterGreen Research, more and more consumers are turning to portable breathalyzers to determine if they’re sober enough to drive.

By: NBC4i Staff | NBC4i.com
Published: December 24, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- 'Tis the season for holiday parties and holiday cocktails. According to a study by WinterGreen Research, more and more consumers are turning to portable breathalyzers to determine if they’re sober enough to drive.

The study finds that in 2005 sales of the devices reached $27.9 million and estimates sales will climb to $341.7 million by 2011. But DUI attorney Jon Saia says it’s not a good idea to judge your ability to drive based on a portable breathalyzer. “If you’re on the borderline of am I okay to drive or not, don’t drive. If you have to blow into a device to tell if you’re okay to drive, don’t drive,” said Saia.

Saia warns the portable breathalyzers are not accurate. “Portable breath tests are not calibrated. Portable breath tests become dirty, they’re not clean, they can give you false positive readings,” said Saia.

Saia also adds the devices don’t distinguish between deep lunch alcohol and mouth alcohol like breath testers police use. And, blood alcohol levels you test at before you get in the car could change dramatically as you’re driving.

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