Breathalyzers

Alcohol consumption can affect individuals’ blood alcohol content (BAC) differently based on factors such as weight, gender, body fat percentage, strength of the beverage, how fast the drink was consumed, food intake and medications. Because of this, you might think you’re okay to drive but an alcohol breathalyzer test could register your BAC as being above the legal level. In all states, a BAC of .08% or greater means that your driving is impaired, and therefore you should not drive a vehicle, but even a BAC of .04% can impair cognitive ability and reaction time, which can lead to accidents.

That’s why car safety devices such as back-up cameras and breathalyzers are convenient products that provide peace-of-mind and reduce risk before you get on the road. A portable breathalyzer offers a convenient and affordable way to self-test your BAC, providing immediate feedback so you can make an informed decision before getting behind the wheel. By having a keychain breathalyzer attached to your key fob, you’ll be reminded to check your BAC before heading to your car and be able to make a good decision that keeps you and others safe. Some home breathalyzers will display how much time needs to elapse before alcohol is no longer detected in your body. When you blow into a breath analyzer for alcohol, the ethanol in your breath is oxidized by electrodes, then sent through an electrical current to provide an estimate of what your BAC might be, since actual blood isn’t being drawn to perform the breathalyzer test. Breathalyzers for home and car use run on alkaline batteries, so be sure to keep some on hand to replenish as needed.

Like many health monitoring tools, some breathalyzers are Bluetooth-enabled to pair with your smartphone to deliver results and track them over time in an app for added insights. You may be surprised to see how slowly or quickly your body processes alcohol and, based on the findings, be able to plan for how much time you’ll need to wait before leaving events or gatherings where alcohol is served. Additionally, there are other car accessories that can help prevent distracted driving, which is just as dangerous as driving while impaired. Buying a car cell phone mount will secure your phone so you can keep your hands on the steering wheel and adhere to laws against texting and driving. Another way to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel is to install either an Apple CarPlay receiver or an Android Auto receiver that’s compatible with the operating system on your phone. These voice-activated car stereo receivers can provide audible directions, receive vocal commands and have bright displays that make it clear to see where you’re headed. Whether you’re shopping for a device that performs a breathalyzer test or one that makes you a more focused driver, we can help you find what you need at Best Buy.