One of the biggest issues you can find for the general public and law enforcement today involves the issue of drinking and driving. It is a real problem for societies all over the world and communities are always on the lookout for ways to improve their approaches to this problem, including the enacting of tougher and stricter laws to crack down on violators of drunken driving laws. While police officers have breathalyzers to help the detect blood alcohol content of a driver with hand-held devices or larger devices at a police station, there are also now smart breathalyzers that can be used by drivers themselves as an added line of defense to help cut back on this growing problem.
What a Smart Breathalyzer is
There are many states in the United States that mandate smart breathalyzers be installed on cars of those who have been found guilty of a drunk driving offense in the past as part of their sentence. There are several manufacturers of smart breathalyzers today that can be used and the devices can be installed quite easily and readily today so that nearly any type of car can be outfitted for using the device. However, an issue with the breathalyzers is that you cannot simply install one on a car on your own. They must be purchased from a dealer of the product who can then arrange to install the unit for you on your car. You should also note that several of the models on the market today require that they be calibrated regularly, as often as every 60 days, meaning you will have to return to the installer to have it calibrated correctly so that it can be used.
What a Smart Breathalyzer Does for You
The devices themselves work quite simply. The breathalyzer is connected to the ignition system of your car. In order for your car to start initially, you must blow into the breathalyzer to perform a breath test. If the test reveals anything but a 0.0, indicating you have not had anything to drink, the car will not start at all. This prevents anyone who has had a drink recently from getting behind the wheel and driving, potentially avoiding accidents and saving lives. The devices can also have security methods to prevent drivers from trying to cheat the system and get around the test. Several of the devices can perform random retests for continual monitoring. The system can alert you when another test is required or if the car has been idling too long it may require you to test again.
The use of this technology continues to spread across the United States as an effective tool to help combat drunk driving. More states continue to enact laws that require first-time offenders to get smart breathalyzers installed as part of their sentence for this crime, helping to keep more drunken drivers off of the streets and away from causing potential harm and damage. You may even get one installed in your car as a precautionary measure or if you have young drivers to avoid them getting behind the wheel when they should not. Some insurance companies will even offer you a discount on your insurance when you have one installed voluntarily. Smart breathalyzers can be a great tool and show the wonderful advances in technology that can help to save lives.