How does the breathalyser work?
A Portable Breath Test or PBT is a hand held device that provides a measurement of a breath’s deep lung alcohol concentration or breath alcohol. The subject blows through a disposable tube for several seconds to enable a reading.
What if I refuse to comply?
If an individual refuses to comply, without reasonable excuse, they can be fined $1,000, face six months’ imprisonment or both.
Can I trick or beat a breathalyser test?
Professional-grade breathalysers offer extremely high accuracy and sensitivity— you cannot beat a breathalyser by sucking on a penny, gargling with mouth wash or using a breath freshener.
What are the legal limits of alcohol consumption when driving?
The prescribed limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. These levels cannot be converted to a specific legal amount of alcohol because alcohol levels are dependent on weight, age, sex and metabolism. That said, as a rule of thumb, two beers or two small glasses of wine would generally put a driver over the limit. It takes around two hours for a serving of regular-strength beer to leave the system.
What is the penalty for failing the breathalyser test?
First-time offenders can face a $5,000 fine or two years’ imprisonment or both on summary conviction and will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months from the date of the conviction. Second or subsequent convictions can result in a $10,000 fine or five years in prison or both and will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for five years after conviction. Any subsequent convictions would ban them from having a licence permanently.
Why are the police using breathalysers?
Without a breathalyser, determining whether someone is too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle is highly subjective. Breathalysers have had a great deal of global success in reducing the frequency of drunk driving and alcohol-related road fatalities.