Car breathalysers are integral tools to ensure road safety, especially at workplaces that employ staff members to operate heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and lorries.
Car breathalysers can come in the form of alcohol interlocks that are manually connected to the vehicle’s engine. This mechanism allows for the vehicle’s engine to only be ignited if the driver passes the alcohol breath test.
Handheld or portable breathalysers provide a convenient way to check a driver’s alcohol level before starting a vehicle.
This can be done under the supervision of a safety officer or by the driver himself. If alcohol is detected, drivers or safety officers can decide on the next steps to ensure safety.
In this blog post, we discuss the pros and cons of both types of breathalysers and outline some of the best breathalysers for cars that you should have to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC) or your breath alcohol concentration (BrAC).
LEARN MORE: The effects of alcohol on driving
Best portable car breathalysers
Also known as portable, handheld and sometimes personal breathalysers (depending on other features and technology used), are breath testers that are smaller in size and used in domestic settings.
Portable breathalysers offer versatility, functioning beyond vehicles to provide alcohol checks in various scenarios.
Below are some handheld breathalysers from Andatech that are suitable for use on the road.
AlcoSense GT Compact Car Breathalyser
Andatech's fastest and most compact breathalyser to date. Crafted with police-grade accuracy, the GT breathalyser stands at a mere 6cm tall and weighs just 66 grams.
Despite its compact size, the breathalyser warms up in 3 seconds and delivers results within 1 second after receiving a breath sample.
Available for a limited time only!
AlcoSense Verity Gen 2 personal breathalyser
The AlcoSense Verity Gen 2 breathalyser makes testing in vehicles more convenient with its built-in mouthpiece. The unit is highly rated, with over 100 reviews across different marketplaces, averaging a 4.8-star rating.
The breathalyser also comes with a quick test mode to quickly detect any presence of alcohol within a given breath sample. This platinum fuel cell breathalyser is ideal for testing on the road, at home and also as a gift to your mates.
AlcoSense Elite 3 BT smartphone breathalyser
The AlcoSense Elite 3 BT breathalyser is designed for modern professionals, offering sleek aesthetics and advanced functionality.
Users pair this breathalyser with their mobile phones via the Andalink app for features like proof of testing, GPS tracking, and result sharing. This allows more features, including proof of testing, GPS tracking and result sharing, to be accessed.
The GPS tracking and result-sharing feature is useful for individuals who are too impaired to drive, allowing friends or family members to assist them with driving if necessary.
A non-Bluetooth version is also available.
SHOP MORE: Best personal breathalysers
Alcohol interlock breathalysers
Alcohol interlock or car interlock breathalysers are breath alcohol testing devices specifically designed to be used in cars. These units are mechanically linked to your vehicle’s engine and only allow your vehicle to be started if alcohol is not detected in your breath sample.
Unlike portable breathalysers, these units can only be used in cars but is more effective at deterring drunk driving. Most alcohol interlock breathalysers also come with a rolling test feature that will prompt the driver to pull the car and take a random alcohol breath test.
This ensures that although the driver had passed the initial test before driving, they do not drink while driving.
These devices are made compulsory for certain drink driving offenders to help ensure that drink driving incidents do not occur again. However, only government-approved interlocks under respective state alcohol interlock programmes are to be installed under an alcohol interlock order
READ MORE: Drink driving penalties in Australia
Andatech ALX3000 alcohol interlock breathalyser
Alcohol interlocks prevent engine start if a user’s BAC level exceeds the set limit. This further deters driving under the influence.
The best part about this alcohol interlock car breathalyser is that users can customise settings to suit their individual needs.
These devices can be set for rolling tests every 5 to 60 minutes after the engine starts. Failing a retest will activate a lock mode for 15 minutes.
Transportation companies often install these interlocks in industrial settings, where they operate efficiently even in extreme temperatures as low as -40°C.
IN DEPTH: Alcohol Interlock FAQs
Why choose Andatech?
Andatech breathalysers use high-quality fuel cell sensors, delivering superior accuracy compared to semiconductor-based models.
Andatech also has a wide range of breathalysers to suit the different needs of every individual, conveniently catering to Australians from all walks of life, regardless of profession or income.
Our breathalysers also come with the Andatech Guarantee if regularly calibrated every six months at Andatech’s NATA-accredited laboratory in Melbourne. Major Australian retailers like Autobarn, Repco, and Autopro stock Andatech breathalysers, making them easily accessible.
Browse through Andatech’s selection of personal breathalysers or workplace breathalysers to get the ideal unit to suit your needs.
