If you or someone you know has ever been pulled over and asked to give a breathalyzer test, you know that it is serious business. The breathalyzer, which is used with those who are suspected of drunk driving, is a device that is used to prove intoxication. It has become a useful and widely used tool by law enforcement officials and for consumer use.
Identification
Breathalyzers are small, rectangular, handheld devices, usually gray and black in color. The subject breathes into a rounded attachment at the top.
Function
Breathalyzers are used to estimate the blood alcohol content level in a person's bloodstream. They do this by analyzing the amount of alcohol present in a person's breath.
Use
Law enforcement officials use breathalyzers mainly in roadside alcohol tests. Consumers can buy smaller, less accurate versions to help them gauge whether or not they should drive, based on their estimated blood alcohol content.
False Readings
Breathalyzers are notorious for giving false or varied readings. There are many variables that can change a reading, such as temperature, interfering compounds and false calibrations.
Myths
Many people claim that breath mints, onions or even copper pennies can mask the alcohol content in a breathalyzer test. These were proven false, though, and some things, such as mouthwash, can actually create a false positive.
