Breathalyzers, whether used as part of an ignition interlock device or merely a hand held sobriety test, come in a variety of models and serve a multitude of purposes.
Breathalizers and ignition interlock devices, also known as “in car breathalyzers,” are commonly used by law enforcement or are part of a court order requiring their use by an individual, usually after a DUI or DWI offense. Many states are passing stricter legislation regarding the use of ignition interlock devices (IID). Missouri requires ignition interlocks for repeat offenders.
An installed ignition interlock device.
However, these devices are also available to the public for personal or business use. For instance: parents may wish to ensure the safety of their children by installing an ignition interlock device on their teens vehicle; a business may require the use of in car breathalyzers for their employees to cut down on liability risks; or an individual may wish to use a hand held breathalyzer to test their blood-alcohol content before driving (it is important to note that the results of such tests will not preclude a DUI/DWI offense). For monitoring teen children or employees some ignition interlock devices have GPS attached in order to locate a vehicle with a failed interlock device.
Many people also wish to carry a personal breathalyzers in order to monitor their own blood alcohol content before driving. These personal breathalyzers come in a variety of types and sizes and vary greatly in price. The cheapest and smallest breathalyzers are often referred to as mini-breathalyzers.
As with any decision, when deciding whether to use a breathalyzer or ignition interlock and in deciding which brand and type to use it is important to gain as much information as possible before making the purchase. Some factors, which will be discussed greater in later blogs, include ease of use, reliability, price, and installation. Hopefully, by using the information provided in this blog and the links available here, you will be able to pick the right breathalyzer or ignition interlock for your purposes.
