Many road accidents can lead to fatal crashes. One of the main causes of this is intoxicated driving. People drive without the awareness that they cannot go. Thus, they need to know whether they are within the legal limit. They can do it with the help of a single use breathalyser. It is an inexpensive yet valuable device. The result can determine if a person is legally intoxicated or not. It is beneficial, but it is not always accurate.

Police officers do roadside breath tests to ensure road safety. They use breath testers as well, and they can be quite strict with it. Offenders can face penalties and inconveniences. Hence, it is better to avoid it with tools like a one-time-use breathalyser. To learn more about the device, the following section will present what it is, how it works, and the factors to consider before buying it.

What is A Single Use Breathalyser?

A breath tester can measure the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, a single use breathalyser is not an electronic device. Thus, it cannot show the BAC level. Nevertheless, it is effective in informing people if they can drive or not. A disposable tester is a device that can help them in numerous ways.

Aside from ensuring their safety on the roads, the unit can also help them keep their jobs. Some workplaces require to be alcohol-free. It is normal for employees to drink. However, they need to make sure that they are sober when getting back to work. They can have fewer worries if they have a one-time tester to check before entering the office. It would be better to know if they are fit to work or not.

Furthermore, a breath tester of this kind can also promote responsible drinking. One user of the device can influence others to use it as well. This can foster a healthier relationship with alcohol. Moreover, it can lessen the amount of road accidents. A tester only costs as low as $2.59. It is an affordable tool that can save lives.

Features

A disposable breathalyser works the same way as traditional units. However, there are differences in their features. Here are the components of a one-time-use device:

• Bag – It is a plastic bag that people use to blow their breaths on.
• Yellow crystals – These are active chemicals that are responsible for the results as they combine with the breath during the procedure.
• White crystals – They are silica gels and they are only necessary to maintain the dryness of the yellow crystals.
• Tester tube – This is what holds the white and yellow crystals. People need to insert it into the bag after inflating it.

How Does A Single Use Breathalyser Work?

A single use breathalyser works with the help of chemical reactions. It happens when the breath mixes with the yellow crystals inside the tube of a kit. There are guidelines to follow before doing the test. Moreover, people must use the tester immediately. Taking the test within five minutes after opening the tester tube is a necessity. Also, checking the result under good lighting is crucial.

To begin the breath test, snap off the ends of the tester tube. Afterwards, discard the white crystals from the tube by shaking it. Once done, the individual should blow into the plastic bag. It is important to fully inflate the bag in one breath, as more than that causes inaccurate results. Then, insert the tube in the bag. There is an arrow, and the direction must face away from it.

The testee must squeeze the bag for the breath to reach the tube. This should be for around 30 seconds. They are within the limit if the colour remains yellow or the green does not reach the red line. If this is the result, they can drive freely afterwards.

Benefits

One benefit of the device is its price. Electronic breathalysers can be costly. On the other hand, a piece of disposable breath tester typically ranges from $2.59-8.95. People can buy value packs of 50 pieces that they can keep in their cars. This is useful for those who drink constantly. They can even share with others for more safety.

Another benefit is the convenience it provides. A disposable breathalyser is small. Hence, they can carry one in their bags for easy access. In addition, they can put it in their pockets if they prefer not to bring a bag when they go outside to drink.

Factors to Consider Before Buying A Single Use Breathalyser

Despite the usefulness of single use breathalysers, there are several factors to consider before buying one. Firstly, it is the accuracy. The device can be accurate, but not all the time. Moreover, it does not show the exact BAC level. The device only informs if they are above or below the legal limit. This can only serve as an estimate. Moreover, given the materials used, a one-use tester is more susceptible to inaccuracies.

Secondly, it is the speed of the device. Typically, the results will show in less than two minutes. This is much faster than other testing methods, such as blood tests and hair tests. However, if compared to traditional units, they are slower. A breath tester like the BACtrack from Breathalysers New Zealand can produce results in a matter of seconds.

Lastly, some beneficial features of electronic units are lacking in the disposable testers. For instance, some breathalysers can connect to Bluetooth. This is how people can access the mobile application where they can track their results. It is an important aspect for those who want to manage their alcohol intake.

Alternatives

People use disposable breathalysers because they are effective. However, if they are worrying about the performance, they can opt for a more reliable device. It can be more cost-effective for them. Buying a box of 50 disposable testers can cost more than the BACtrack Mobile Pro Gen2. They can use the latter more than 50 times as long as they recalibrate it regularly.

There are more options in Breathalysers New Zealand. One choice is the BACtrack Go Keychain. It is suitable for those who are always outside. They can attach the device to their trousers or their bags for convenience.

Conclusion

Everyone should help in the prevention of road accidents. People can become more responsible with their drinking habits. They can test themselves before driving to see if they are suitable to do so. A single use breathalyser is a tool that can be of aid for them. It is an affordable device that they can keep in their cars. It is effective, but there may be cases of false positive results. Hence, they should be wary of that.

Since accuracy is one of the most important aspects of a breath tester, it will be better to acquire a more trustworthy device. Electronic units are typically more accurate. Some devices use fuel cell sensors, also used by law enforcement for their testers. Overall, there are pros and cons to having a disposable unit. They must weigh the advantages and disadvantages to see what is the most appropriate for them.