| Drunk driving in America has been one of the | | | | There are many types of breath alcohol testing |
| major causes of road accidents. To minimize such | | | | devices. Each type has different indication of the |
| tendency, the government is strict in | | | | alcohol level. However it is determined, all types |
| implementing the law against driving under the | | | | have a mouthpiece where the suspected person |
| influence (DUI). Violation to such law subjects the | | | | has to breathe out. The three major types of |
| driver to penalties or imprisonment. DUI is | | | | alcohol testing device are: |
| determined if the person is proved to be drunk | | | | - Breathalyzer. This device shows green color in |
| while driving. This is indicated by the established | | | | the chemical on its built-in vial when the breath |
| blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. All states | | | | with alcohol mixes with it. The Breathalyzer has a |
| in the U.S. employ the .08 BAC minimum level. | | | | measurement of alcohol level based on the |
| This means that if a person has .08 BAC, he is | | | | extent of change in the color of the chemicals. |
| violating the law on drunk driving. But how does | | | | - Intoxilyzer. This type of breathe alcohol testing |
| law enforcer figure out the BAC level of a | | | | device uses IR (infrared) spectroscopy. This |
| person? | | | | works by a lamp that generates the infrared light. |
| Breath Alcohol Testing Device | | | | To identify alcohol on the sample, the user should |
| When a driver is suspected of drunk driving, he | | | | look at the wavelength of the alcohol bond and |
| undergoes certain alcohol testing. Most alcohol | | | | see the measure of absorption of light. The IR |
| testing is conducted by law enforcers through the | | | | absorption measures the level of alcohol in the |
| use of devices. Naturally, an alcohol level can be | | | | sample and the microprocessor determines the |
| tested by urine samples or blood samples. | | | | BAC level. |
| However, it is not practical to conduct the | | | | - Alcosensor III or IV. This device uses fuel cells |
| laboratory test when a driver is stopped by the | | | | to detect the level of alcohol in the breath. The |
| enforcer on the road. They don't have to go to a | | | | more alcohol it oxidizes, the higher the electrical |
| clinic just to get the urine or blood. What the | | | | current in the device. The built in microprocessor |
| enforcer rather have is a breath alcohol testing | | | | will determine the BAC level of alcohol in the |
| device where he can measure the alcohol level of | | | | breathe sample. |
| the person by the breath. | | | | All in all, the alcohol level is determined when it |
| The principle behind this device is that alcohol level | | | | reacts with certain chemical or processes in the |
| in the bloodstream is the same as in the breath. | | | | devices. The result of BAC in the suspected |
| Alcohol, when absorbed in the body, does not | | | | driver will be determined within seconds. From |
| change chemically. As alcohol is absorbed in the | | | | there, the enforcer will have the basis to arrest a |
| blood stream, it also enters the air sacs in the | | | | suspected violator of DUI. |
| lungs and released in the breath. | | | | |