Breathalyzer Test

A Breathalyzer Test is a device used to measure the blood alcohol content of a person’s breath, particularly when a law enforcement officer suspects that the person is driving while intoxicated (DWI). A Breathalyzer Test detects alcohol on a person’s breath by using a chemical reaction. The Breathalyzer Test itself contains several chemicals, each a different color, which change color when they come into contact with alcohol. Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7), for example, is an orange-yellow compound.

Some strategies for DUI prevention include:

• Suspend license of DUI offenders
• Reduce national BAC to 0.05%
• Zero tolerance for offenders under the age of 21
• Sobriety checkpoints
• Community involvement
• Mandatory treatment programs for offenders
• Raising federal alcohol taxes
• BA tests at all injury-inducing traffic accidents

When the yellow crystals come into contact with alcohol, the crystals change from yellow to green. The amount of color change is relative to the amount of alcohol detected on a person’s breath. The Breathalyzer Test is measured and counted in percent units of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), which is the proportion of alcohol to blood in the body. A 160-pound man will have a BAC of approximately 0.04 percent 1 hour after consuming two 12-ounce beers or two other standard drinks on an empty stomach.

The legal BAC limit in most States is 0.08 percent. These States include: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MO, NE, NH, NM, NC, OK, OR, RI, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI and WY. There remaining States have set their limit at 0.10 percent, except Massachusetts, which has a zero tolerance policy. There are several types of Breathalyzer Tests and most models are available for personal purchase. If the Breathalyzer Test is administered properly, the results are admissible as evidence in court.