If you have been pacing yourself while out on the town, you might think you’re okay to drive, but using a personal breathalyzer can help you recognize when you are not. Alcohol consumption affects the blood alcohol content (BAC) of each individual differently based on factors like weight and gender. Additionally, it can be hard to gauge the strength of some beverages and to account for factors like having a full stomach and taking certain medications.

Any level of alcohol consumption has the ability to impair the speed and accuracy of your reflexes, reactions and cognitive abilities. Across the U.S., a person with a BAC of .08% is considered too dangerously impaired to drive a vehicle, which includes bicycling and electric transportation vehicles.

Just as you should use hands-free devices and a cell phone mount to limit distractions while driving, you should also ensure you are in a responsible state to get behind the wheel. No fancy car safety equipment, back-up camera or dash cam can protect you if you are unfit to be driving.

A breathalyzer offers a convenient and affordable way to self-test your current BAC. You can attach a keychain breathalyzer to a key fob or keep one in your car. Use it to get immediate feedback so that you can make an informed decision before getting behind the wheel. Keep in mind, however, that the technology has limitations. Your body takes time to process alcohol. If you have had something to drink recently, your BAC may continue going up after you use the breathalyzer.

Like many home health monitoring tools, some breathalyzers are app-compatible. An app-compatible breathalyzer can offer additional information via your smartphone. Some breathalyzers can even provide estimates of how long it will be before you are below the restricted BAC level again.

You could consider buying a breathalyzer for yourself or as a stocking stuffer gift for your young adult kid. Even if your children know when to not get behind the wheel, they might find a breathalyzer handy if they are unsure about whether a friend is really good to drive.