Retail breathalyzers put to the test, how accurate are they?

December 30, 2011|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan.) — You've probably seen them on the store shelves. Retail breathalyzer tests that claim to tell you what your blood alcohol level is. How accurate are these breathalyzer tests.

Many bottles will be popped open on New Year’s Eve, but the last thing drinkers want is to get "popped" for drunk driving. The legal blood alcohol level in Kansas is .08 some drug store breathalyzers claim they are able to tell you what your blood alcohol level is.

"I'm interested to see how it turns out compared to our Intoxilyzer," said Deputy Kenneth Kooser with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.

So were we. We put them to the test against the official Sedgwick County Sheriff's Intoxilyzer.

"This stuff really sneaks up on you. You're fine one second then three glasses in I'm really feeling it," said one of our two drinking volunteers.

They each had a bottle of champagne in less than 30 minutes. Then they had to wait 20 minutes before testing. After waiting we tested each drinker on each breathalyzer.

The results were varied. One of our drinkers clocked in on the official Intoxilyzer at .096 while one of the over-the-counter breath checkers said he was at .11 and the other said he was .08 the legal limit.

Officials say the devices do what they claim but fear they could be risky. They say alcohol levels could continue to climb after the test was taken or a misreading could lead someone to believe they're safe to drive, when they're not.

"Ultimately we recommend not to risk it. If you have anything to drink, don't drive," said Deputy Kooser.

While it might be a fun party trick, officials warn not to put too much confidence in the devices.

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