As technology continues to evolve, the capabilities of consumer-level devices sometimes grow in interesting directions. One particularly interesting and potentially dangerous device making waves in the market right now is the personal breathalyzer. On its face, such a device is a slam dunk innovation that helps keep everyone safer on the road. However, the reality of situation is a little more complicated.
It is a generally good idea to use a breathalyzer to determine your sobriety before getting behind the wheel if you have any reason to believe you may be over the limit. In many instances, such a device may save lives or keep someone from suffering serious injuries in an avoidable accident. However, the dependability of the technology in its current state leaves far too much room for error.
Even the professional grade breathalyzers used in the field by police officers require regular maintenance and calibration to deliver dependable results that stand up in court. This very fact is often used to challenge breathalyzer results and attempt to get the associated DUI charges dismissed.
Currently, personal breathalyzers may provide a good indication of your legal sobriety, but are not dependable enough to rely on every time. You certainly don’t want to find yourself facing DUI charges because your personal breathalyzer gave an inaccurate reading and you got behind the wheel while unknowingly over the limit.
If you do face DUI charges, be sure to speak to an attorney who can help you examine your arrest and the evidence against you to identify any weaknesses in prosecution’s case you can use to defend your rights and future.
Source: The Washington Post, “Pocket breathalyzer? Don’t leave home without one this St. Paddy’s Day,” Fredrick Kunkle, accessed Dec. 15, 2017