Random Breath Tests – Good or Bad?
Random breath tests are increasingly being used to test individuals and determine if they have been consuming alcohol. Police officers use breathalyzers to test drivers displaying erratic behavior to see if they have been drinking and driving. Random breath testing has its pros and cons, with individuals on both sides debating its merits and its problems.
Of course, everyone wants our roads to be free from the hazards of unsafe drunk drivers so strong drunk driving laws and the use of breathalyzers on suspect drivers generally has strong support. However, administering random breath tests without cause has turned into a different story. With random breath testing, officers can choose to pull over drivers randomly, say every 50th car. The driver is required to take an alcohol test. Those who refuse would be prosecuted as would those who fail the test, even if no driving infractions had occurred.
Some believe that random breath tests will raise awareness to the issue of drinking and driving. They also feel more impaired drivers will be caught and removed from the roadways which will result in fewer car accidents. Random breath testing could also act as a deterrent. Some people frequently down a few drinks after work and then drive home. They are a risk to themselves and other drivers on the road but don’t get caught making traffic violations.
On the other hand, random breath tests take up a lot of valuable police time and resources. These could be better spent on people suspected or known to be drunk driving rather than wasting time testing people who have not been drinking. There is some question on the effectiveness of random breath testing as some of the countries that practice it have not seen a corresponding decrease in drunk driving. False positives are also a concern when it comes to breathalyzer results, especially if officers are rushed and working under quotas. All of the time, effort, and resources put into random breath tests might be better spent on drunk driving education.
Increasingly, random breath testing has been used in workplaces and schools. Just like with breathalyzers used for spotting drunk drivers these random tests have their fans and critics. In workplaces and schools, breath test can help ensure a safe environment for all. In certain professionals such as construction, pilots and operators of commercial vehicles, being under the influence could result in loss of limbs and kill not only the drunk but many innocent victims. Companies report reduction in serious on the job injuries and a safer work place when using random breath tests.
The biggest complaint among those who are against random alcohol tests at work and school is the invasion of an individual’s privacy. However, fans of it point out that the safety of the public outweighs one individual’s right to privacy. Though some individuals have worried about false positive and the loss of time from work, breathalyzer tests continue to become more refined and individuals only need to blow into a tube to get result in just a few minutes; however, when conducting a large number of breath tests workplace productivity can slow down. Both sides do agree that getting alcoholics access to alcohol treatment centers and other forms of assistance is vital for increased safety of everyone, on and off the road.
Written by Robin Saunders, an experienced writer that deals with numerous topics such as alcohol, DUI, breathalyzers etc. The author owns a breath tester himself and it’s time to get one for yourself.
categories: alcohol tester,alcohawk,breathalyzers,breath tester