Sobercheck Reports Lower Drink/Drive Limit Spurs Hot Demand For Breathalysers

Since the drink-drive limit was lowered last year, breathalysers have been in hot demand and suppliers like Sober Check can barely keep up with orders, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes and prices. Similarly, with the Christmas party scene in fully swing last month, a lot of workplaces were using breathalysers for after-work drinks and a lot of Christmas presents.

Regarding the use of breathalysers by the general public, it needs to be noted that personal breathalysers area guide only. Sober Check’s message is that there is no 'safe' amount of alcohol to drink before driving, as alcohol affects everyone differently, so while personal breathalysers may provide a guide, they should not be relied upon. Police will certainly not accept any such method as an excuse if someone is caught exceeding breath or blood alcohol levels.

Gavin Foster, at Sober Check, said individuals, as well as businesses and some pubs and clubs, have been buying up the testers. While the top-shelf machine he sold - the Lifeloc FC10 - was "law enforcement" grade and good for businesses, less expensive ones were available for personal use. The quality was dictated by how well the machines tested after 12 months' use, because some models would become less accurate over time and others that were not tested, which sell for $5 to $20, should be avoided as they were essentially "random number generators", he said.

Gavin also warns against cheap devices, saying some are marketed as being able to be calibrated but they do not meet international standards. "We calibrate at a set point and we calibrate to an accuracy of plus or minus 5 per cent. If they're outside that range, we don't send them out."

Sober Check's "entry level" personal breathalyser costs $179 and the company recommends a more advanced sensor technology sophisticated model costing $448. Sober Check's workplace breathalysers start at about $1000 and Gavin says it is a good idea for any company that has Friday night drinks or Christmas functions on its premises. "The onus is a lot more on the company, especially if people are driving out the gate in company vehicles.”

The team at Sober Check have a list of frequently asked questions on their website at http://www.sobercheck.co.nz   and advise that it will vary from person to person, depending on weight, age, how much food has been eaten and how fast someone’s body metabolises alcohol.

With the new drink drive limit well in place, it is a game changer for social drinkers and a good time to consider investing in your own personal alcohol tester!