Breathalyzers in bars...... what do you think? Would you use it?

Question

I want to get the publics opinion about this. Would you want the option of using a breathalyzer at a restaurant or bar if you had been drinking? If so, would it be worth $1.00 to use it?
If you don't drink, would you think its a good addition to any bar to offer to thier patrons?
I don't want people have the wrong idea about these breathalyzers. Here is page i'm putting together that will explain everything better and show some pictures of the machine if you want to look at it. http://www.sobrietyalert.com

Answer 1

I think it's a great idea to have them in bars. The owners of the machine and the bar are not liable because the breathalyzer was not administered in a controlled environment.

Answer 2

I was at a cheesy 70's themed bar that had one of these (the exact one on your site) and I used it out of curiosity - I'm a 5'3", 120 pound female - I'd just had a double vodka tonic and then immediately shared a giant 'fishbowl' drink with a friend, I completely felt the buzz, and the machine showed that my BAC was ridiculously low, below the legal limit in Tennesse at that time. I could imagine some drunk idiot using a faulty or miscalibrated machine and deciding they're fine to drive. Just because there are warnings all over the machine saying 'don't drive no matter what', there are people who will see a BAC that is at, below, or slightly over the legal limit and decide that if they don't have a drink for an hour or two, they'll be fine. I think it's a dangerous, money-making scam.
As for the rest of your question, it's a great idea to offer free sodas, juice, and coffees to designated drivers, or even coupons for free food or substantial discounts on subsequent visits. You can also give the same coupons to people who call cabs to encourage the practice, it might tip the balance in someone's mind if they're on the fence between cabbing it or driving. If the bar attracts a binge drinking crowd, make sure the staff and bouncers keep a look out for young women (and men, for that matter) who are completely drunk and abandoned by their friends who might be getting into trouble. I've worked in lots of bars, it's easy to spot the predators and their prey, and it's worth trying to separate them
Of course, I know that bars and clubs just want to make money and could care less about the health, safety, and happiness of their patrons, so none of this will ever be implemented. Still, it would be nice.

Answer 3

The breathalyzers that the police use are regularly calibrated to insure accuracy (don't ask me how). The ones in bars are not. You have no idea how accurate or innaccurate they are.

Given this, if you get pulled over and the police breathalyzer says you're over the limit, and the one at the bar said you were fine, do you think the cop or the judge will care?

Use that dollar to buy yourself a cup of coffee.


Phil

Answer 4

As long as it wasn't mandatory, then YES. I think it would be cool.

For instance you are walking out the bar with your friend - who is ta tally wasted and says she's gonna drive. Of course I say "You are so $hit-faced, you are getting a cab"....and being so drunk, she denies that she can't drive. that's when I would pop a dollar in the machine and say "prove it!"

Or even for yourself. Because sometimes after you've had a few, and you're on the cusp of MAYBE being legally over the limit, but you think you're OK, it's good to see where you are in the eyes of the law.

I think it's a good idea, and I would probably use it all the time.

Answer 5

while you are going to enforce this in bars and eating places, make it necessary to apply it. you want to go away, have motor vehicle keys on your hands, blow. As a bartender, i've got considered it and that i understand that the comparable people who could with out doubt, blow over, are the comparable people who could stroll top via it guffawing at it. the comparable people who think of it is a stable theory, have had one drink over 3 hours and could use it. it is likewise a risky approach of take on the employer end to. it is the properties duty, specifically the bartenders to be sure you do no longer rigidity homestead below the impression of alcohol. Many places dealing with a lawsuit will attempt to apply the breathalyzer as a fashion out of their duty and shortage on drink controls. No courtroom will accept as true with it and many places will unfastened their licences. stable theory yet as familiar, it is the those which will make or brake it. the two below the impression of alcohol and sober. uncomplicated experience says do no longer drink and rigidity. how many folk have? uncomplicated experience would not paintings. duty is the only prepare that we would desire to apply.

Answer 6

breathalyzers should be in every bar and restaurant and should be free but mandatory to use before you leave. any more that .05 to .08 and you must find another way home or police are called while you sit and wait

Answer 7

It is better to pay the $1 for the test than to end up killing someone or end up in jail and paying all kinds of fines. I think it should actually be required for bars to have these. It would save them a lot of money if someone was to get killed because their family could come back and sue them.

Answer 8

there are several bars here that have them installed by the restrooms. they come with prewrapped straws and cost a dollars worth of quarters. honestly, i've seen these used as amusement for drunks more than a responsible mean for determining blood alcohol content. (i'm sadly guilty of this) it's kind of a contest to see who has the highest BAC. wow, i was an idiot...... anyway, i rarely see them used for the purpose they are intended in my experience, but if one person would use it properly and it would save one life then it is worth it

Answer 9

I think it's an excellent idea.
If I had that 3 years ago, I wouldn't have attempted to drive home drunk and total my car!
Luckily, I am ok, and I didn't harm anyone in the accident.
I was extremely LUCKY.
I had to pay altogether about $5,000 for all of the fines and lawyer's fees.
I will never drive drunk again!

Answer 10

it wont happen. what if someone uses the breathalize and sees they are under the legal limit:

then gets pulled over and it above (because absorption takes time or the brethalize is miscalibrated); or worse

what if there is an accident that they are above the lgeal limit.

There is to much liability for a bar to put one up.