In 1960, 374 New Zealanders passed away due to car related accidents. By 1969, the quantity of those casualties had risen by over 200. With the use of automobiles growing more robust, there have been demands for the 50 mph (80 km/h) open-road speed restriction to be increased. In 1962, the speed limit was increased to 55 mph (88 km/h), then in 1969, it was lifted to 60 mph (96 km/h). While speeding was one contributor to the rising road related fatalities, the other was Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (DUI). To address the latter issue, blood alcohol limits and breath alcohol tester techniques were adopted in 1969. Breath alcohol testers or breathalyzers are used to identify drivers who had more than 100 milligrams of ethanol in their samples per 100 ml of blood. 

Breath alcohol testers have been used in New Zealand for a long time now. All device diagnostic performance and reliability are constantly being checked and calibrated if needed in the field, and the sensors have consistently shown to have high accuracy. 

 How to use a Breath Alcohol Tester

To use a breath alcohol tester, you have to breathe into a mouthpiece. This will provide you an instant readout… A traditional breath alcohol tester shows one green band which indicates that your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is less than 0.05 percent, that is considered within the legal limit for driving. Historically, the way your BAC was acknowledged was that if your BAC was between 0.05 percent and 0.10 percent two green bands would show, and over 0.10 percent you would show three green bands. Many breath alcohol testers nowadays can show the exact BAC value on the device’s display. 

Breath Alcohol Tester as used by Law Enforcement

Breath tests for alcohol are commonly used by the police. If you refuse to use a breath alcohol tester, they may demand a blood sample. Your gender, body type, weight, and what you have consumed prior to testing are factors that affect how rapidly alcohol is absorbed and taken through your system. Keep in mind that even tiny quantities of alcohol can have a negative impact on your health and could affect your driving ability to drive or operate machinery and therefore directly impacts your safety and that of others. 

In New Zealand, DUI is regarded as a severe offense as it is one of the country’s major road safety issues. Suppose you have had a few drinks; it is best not to risk it and you should organize other means of transportation. The police have the authority to stop you at any moment and use their breath alcohol tester to get your sample, with significant penalties if you are found to be above the legal limit. So, when it comes to driving, there is no such thing as a safe quantity of intoxication. It is highly recommended not to drive when you know you had too much to drink. 

Related Posts:

Information About Alcohol Breath Testers

Alcohol breath test, How to take one correctly?