Breath testers

[SMOKEU]

I've seen all sorts of alcohol breath testers for sale, most of which are cheap toys that fit on a key chain and serve no real purpose, but then there are others going for $200+ which you send back to the manufacturer every 6-12 months to get recalibrated. Are these more expensive ones fairly accurate, or do you need to spend close to $1000 for a decent one?

[98tls]

Cheaper just to buy a bottle of Tequila and drink it fella,once you reach the bottom theres no doubt about it your to lagged to drive.

[scumdog]

They are a handy thing for 'the next morning' type tests.:drinkup:

But regardless they are no defence if you DO get stopped and end up section 56'd.

Saying "but I tested myself on my gizmo and only got a reading of 320 " just won't cut it with the judge:no:

[Oakie]

Depends what sort of accuracy you need out of it. I bought a couple of $150 units for work. We have a zero tolerance for alcohol at work and have the odd suspect from time to time. Previously we've relied on witness's subjective evaluations and admissions of guilt which is not very satisfactory for either us or the employee. The units are probably not 100% accurate but they will give a reading (or not) which is good enough for us. I did have the pleasure of putting them through an extensive test one weekend at home and got some interesting results which more than anything proved that you should not throw down one for the road as you can get a false positive that way. Wait 20 minutes before driving to avoid a false positive. Also with these units they seem to loose a little accuracy if used twice in quick succession.

If you are just looking for something to give an indication as to your level of intoxication, these $150 to $200 sets will do that but be warned, there is a disclaimer that a negative result on one of these cannot be used as a defense should you have a positive result from the boys in blue. I'd leave a margin for error. A big margin please.

[steve_t]

Oakie, if you use the device 5 times in a row, how much discrepancy is there with the readings?

[SMOKEU]

If you are just looking for something to give an indication as to your level of intoxication, these $150 to $200 sets will do that but be warned, there is a disclaimer that a negative result on one of these cannot be used as a defense should you have a positive result from the boys in blue. I'd leave a margin for error. A big margin please.

Apparently the consumer level breath testers are designed to over read the breath alcohol level so people can't be more drunk than what the device says. How true this is anyones guess.

[Oakie]

Oakie, if you use the device 5 times in a row, how much discrepancy is there with the readings?

Don't know. I only tried it twice in a row quickly a couple of times. What I think it may do is compare 'before' and 'after'. If you then have the second puff a couple of minutes after the first, there may still be a residual from the first puff and then the difference is much less than true. What happened for me is an expected reading at first puff and then a much lower on second puff.

[Oakie]

Apparently the consumer level breath testers are designed to over read the breath alcohol level so people can't be more drunk than what the device says. How true this is anyones guess.

From a business point of view that would make sense as long as the devices weren't being used to get an evidential reading.

[Houseman]

I have a $200 Sobercheck and just use it for fun more than anything. Great fun with a few mates around. Supposed to be one of the more accurate ones available.

One thing it has taught me is those mornings after the big night before - and you sleep on your mates couch - for 4-5 hours to be safe - and you still feel "a bit pissed" riding home the next moring. You are, big styles. I blew 600 after 8 hours sleep once. :shit:

Also taught me that you have to be pretty pissed to blow 400 (legal limit) in the first place. Not that I would use that to push the limit, but it takes me about 9 stubbies to get there, no lies. I am 6'3" and fairly fit mind (maraton runner). Everyone is different when it comes to metabolising alcohol.

[NighthawkNZ]

I use one as a pure indication only the next morning at a bike rally, up to me to make the choice... If it registers then I go have a coffee and pie or bit of a feed and wait another couple of hours... usually in no rush to get home...

Not only that I don't drink a hell of a lot any more anyway... so I have had no problem...

[firefighter]

They are a handy thing for 'the next morning' type tests.:drinkup:

But regardless they are no defence if you DO get stopped and end up section 56'd.

Saying "but I tested myself on my gizmo and only got a reading of 320 " just won't cut it with the judge:no:

That's right, which sucks really when you've obviously tried to be responsible. The only time the judge will throw it out is when the person is truly a fuckwitt. Like that bloody Indian prick who got let off because the constable asked him to move his car to the side of the road instead of doing it for him. The judge came up with that too not his lawyer......in my opinion that judge is the guilty one the next time he does it.

[cbfb]

Probably best not to drive at all if you suspect you might be over the limit.

To save the expense of a breath tester, remember what you've had to drink and use the following calculation:

(Volume(ml) x Alcohol(% by volume, ABV)) / 1000 = Alcohol (units)

So if you've had 12 x 330ml bottles of Speight's at 4% ABV, that would be:

(3960 x 4) / 1000 = 15.8 units

Now an hour AFTER you start drinking, your body gets rid of approximately one unit per hour. So if you started drinking at 7pm, at 8pm the alcohol would start to be expelled; 15.8 hours later is when you would be back to '0' (i.e. noon the following day).

There is nothing you can do to speed up this process; food, eating mints, drinking water/coffee, sleeping etc are all myths. Food can slow down initial absorbtion but that's not going to help you.

[Genestho]

Probably best not to drive at all if you suspect you might be over the limit.

Now an hour AFTER you start drinking, your body gets rid of approximately one unit per hour. So if you started drinking at 7pm, at 8pm the alcohol would start to be expelled; 15.8 hours later is when you would be back to '0' (i.e. noon the following day).

There is nothing you can do to speed up this process; food, eating mints, drinking water/coffee, sleeping etc are all myths. Food can slow down initial absorbtion but that's not going to help you.

Well said.
Or keep it simple, the calculation is already on each bottle in the form of (units=) 'standard drinks'.
http://www.alcohol.org.nz/ALAC_GuideToStandardDrinks.pdf

[buellbabe]

While at the Buell rally a few weeks back I saw a $15 tester (er...at the liquor store...LOL) and purchased it cos I thought "this will be a larf later today when we are all legged".

Obviously none of us had any intentions of getting on our bikes after drinking, we were all staying put at the camp ground and the wee tester was definately a good party gag.

Anyways I had been steadily drinking all arvo and evening but wasn't trolleyed and "felt ok", I can't remember what the reading was exactly but I know it was borderline...interesting, I reckon I definately would have been over the limit even tho I felt "ok".

Basically we all came to the conclusion that if you wonder whether you are ok to drive/ride then you are NOT. To quote an earlier post 'keep it simple'.

[cbfb]

Well said.
Or keep it simple, the calculation is already on each bottle in the form of (units=) 'standard drinks'.
http://www.alcohol.org.nz/ALAC_GuideToStandardDrinks.pdf

No, 'Standard Drinks' are NOT the same as 'Units'.

Example: A 330ml, 5% can of beer contains 1.3 Standard Drinks or 1.65 Units.

It's important to use Units instead of Standard Drinks because as with my earlier example, a twelve pack would be 12 Standard Drinks or 15.8 Units. That 3.8 Units is roughly 4 hour's worth of time you shouldn't be driving.

[Toot Toot]

remember what you've had to drink and use the following calculation:

(Volume(ml) x Alcohol(% by volume, ABV)) / 1000 = Alcohol (units)

So if you've had 12 x 330ml bottles of Speight's at 4% ABV, that would be:

(3960 x 4) / 1000 = 15.8 units




I cant figure out how much change to give the rag head at the dairy for a pie after a few jars, let alone that scientific calculation you have there.

[Genestho]

No, 'Standard Drinks' are NOT the same as 'Units'.

Example: A 330ml, 5% can of beer contains 1.3 Standard Drinks or 1.65 Units.

It's important to use Units instead of Standard Drinks because as with my earlier example, a twelve pack would be 12 Standard Drinks or 15.8 Units. That 3.8 Units is roughly 4 hour's worth of time you shouldn't be driving.

In keeping it simple for the readers I refered to units or unit measurements as standard drinks - which is exactly how bottles are labelled.

A twelve pack at 5% -1.3 standard drinks, is not 12 standard drinks - it's 15.6 standard drinks (still slightly out to your unit measurement)

I can't see the layman using a calculation we don't use on labelling of alcohol bottles, based on a term we don't use to educate general public in NZ or Aus.

Maybe we should, who knows - not my call.:)

[cbfb]

In keeping it simple for the readers I refered to units or unit measurements as standard drinks - which is exactly how bottles are labelled.

A twelve pack at 5% -1.3 standard drinks, is not 12 standard drinks - it's 15.6 standard drinks (still slightly out to your unit measurement)

I can't see the layman using a calculation we don't use on labelling of alcohol bottles, based on a term we don't use to educate general public in NZ or Aus.

Maybe we should, who knows - not my call.:)

Nope the example I was using originally was at 4% which does come out at 12 Standard Drinks, or 15.8 Units. At 5%, a doz is 19.8 Units. So there is quite a difference. Sorry I can see my examples were a bit confusing there, should have stuck with 4% all along.

I agree it's a bit confusing to do the maths, but god knows why they don't put Units on the bottles instead of Standard Drinks because they equate to hours, much easier for everyone. In the UK they taught me to calculate it that way.

Have trouble with pissed maths? I use this BEFORE I start drinking usually. Say if I've got to drive somewhere at 9 the next morning, I know exactly how much I can have so it's comfortably out of my system by then.

[Genestho]

Nope the example I was using originally was at 4% which does come out at 12 Standard Drinks, or 15.8 Units. At 5%, a doz is 19.8 Units. So there is quite a difference. Sorry I can see my examples were a bit confusing there, should have stuck with 4% all along.

I agree it's a bit confusing to do the maths, but god knows why they don't put Units on the bottles instead of Standard Drinks because they equate to hours, much easier for everyone. In the UK they taught me to calculate it that way.

Have trouble with pissed maths? I use this BEFORE I start drinking usually. Say if I've got to drive somewhere at 9 the next morning, I know exactly how much I can have so it's comfortably out of my system by then.

Ahh, yea, lol I was confuzzled :sunny:

I saw an example of 4% then your last example was 5%. Which is what the standard drink pamphlet also refers to.

I've read a bit about the difference of units to standard drinks, and It does appear an EU term of measurement.

Here's a little overview, it's not actually the one I was looking for though! http://www.icap.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zo2TZaGGEoQ%3D&tabid=75

Totally agree - You'd think it would be alot safer to have a pre-calculation of units on bottles. Be an interesting to question to ask...

[cbfb]

Ahh, yea, lol I was confuzzled :sunny:

I saw an example of 4% then your last example was 5%. Which is what the standard drink pamphlet also refers to.

I've read a bit about the difference of units to standard drinks, and It does appear an EU term of measurement.

Here's a little overview, it's not actually the one I was looking for though! http://www.icap.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zo2TZaGGEoQ%3D&tabid=75

Totally agree - You'd think it would be alot safer to have a pre-calculation of units on bottles. Be an interesting to question to ask...

Yep it is an EU thing. And it is taught by the justice system there (in the UK at least) so they must have some confidence in it.

I wonder if the reluctance to teach this in other countries might be because different people may 'get rid' of a unit of alcohol in more or less than an hour, so someone who was technically OK to drive may still be over.

Still think it's a better alternative to a gizmo breathalyzer though, even the police ones are innaccurate enough to require a second, flasher breathalyzer and a blood test (again speaking about the UK not sure if procedure is the same here).

[scumdog]

Had 9 Jim beam stubbies at our work Christmas 'do' last night, spread out between 5pm and 10:30pm.

Tested myself at 10:48pm and blew 208 and 200 - half the driving limit.

But even so I felt the effects enough that there was no way I would drive.:yes:

[tri boy]

If it takes more than six attempts to insert the keys into the ignition, (after you have dropped them several times), take the back road.
The road edges are more rough, and "bump steering is easier".





Jokes, just jokes, mkayy.

[Usarka]

But even so I felt the effects enough that there was no way I would drive.:yes:

Just as well you had the bike then! :woohoo:

[ynot slow]

Had 9 Jim beam stubbies at our work Christmas 'do' last night, spread out between 5pm and 10:30pm.

Tested myself at 10:48pm and blew 208 and 200 - half the driving limit.

But even so I felt the effects enough that there was no way I would drive.:yes:

Not even at the stage "sorry to pissed to walk stage",funny how I would think years ago,hmmm had 2 or 3 pints and be paranoid driving,or another time have way more and think she'll be right,think as I grow older paranoia sets in,and don't drink and drive after more than 2 pints.

[danchop]

i consistently drink 8 stienlager stubbies after work on fridays,been checkpointed twice,both times i passed although the second time the guy asked me how much i had drunk,when i said 8 stienys he shook his head and said "im sure these things dont work sometimes"

[steve_t]

What a coincidence

http://www.1-day.co.nz/products/AAMCBN0BC

[Genestho]

If it takes more than six attempts to insert the keys into the ignition, (after you have dropped them several times), take the back road.
The road edges are more rough, and "bump steering is easier".





Jokes, just jokes, mkayy.
I'll bite.

I love a good joke, I've a pretty fierce sense of humour with those that know me.

I have to face another Xmas with kids asking questions like "Will Santa visit Daddy in Heaven" Will he visit the "Bad man"? You name it - they ask.

I've been really sick over the lask week, everything two people do in one household...I do on my own - I still have to mow lawns, weed whack, trim trees, fix stuff, all normal everyday stuff.... put Xmas lights up, finish the last bits Xmas food shopping and prep, have fun with kids and entertain, miss out on Xmas parties, and continue to miss out on a heap of things that I'd love to do.

You have no idea of the lists of consequences and sacrifices I've had to bare.

My choice - I've pushed myself so damned hard to make a difference, sometimes I think have, amongst grief - to survive a three and a half year investigation, hanging over my head.

Do you know what happens on Xmas day in my house? Infact any anniversary?

My last vision of my husband and me old mate is a desperate and dying man - then one of a grey and dead person smashed into a thousand bits.

They don't last long because you can't live that way - it's unspoken, but our family naturally stumble momentarily every anniversary, as others do in the same situation.

The thoughts are - how he would've had so much fun with his kids, how we'd be camping and enjoying our future together.

How these kids miss every milestone and guidance from a good person, I am Mother and Father, left to deal with the shit from other peoples selfish actions.

I am sorry for being so open, but Drink Driving is not a joke. Merry Xmas.