Breathalyse Me Please
Discussion
Several years ago, not knowing whether or not she was over the limit to drive the morning after, my GF popped into the local police station and politely asked if she could partake in a breathalyser test.
The answer was a straight "No".
Would be interested to know from any bobbies on here how this is usually handled, if ever it happens, as well as anyone who has tried this.
NB. She walked to the police station and pls no "if she was in any doubt, she shouldn't drive" answers as that's not really the point.
The answer was a straight "No".
Would be interested to know from any bobbies on here how this is usually handled, if ever it happens, as well as anyone who has tried this.
NB. She walked to the police station and pls no "if she was in any doubt, she shouldn't drive" answers as that's not really the point.
I tried this after a night out in Bath a few months ago. I was genuinely unsure whether I was over the limit or not so was on my way to the taxi rank when I spotted a Battenberg parked up. I asked very nicely but got a very icy response, suggesting, in no uncertain terms, that they had better things to do with their time.
Thats not a very good response by the bib but I realise they have a lot to do and no time allocated for this. But it is prevention.
Perhaps this should be available at local shops.
Sometimes the morning after one may feel fit to drive and in no doubt they are OK but yet a breath test may show otherwise.
Perhaps this should be available at local shops.
Sometimes the morning after one may feel fit to drive and in no doubt they are OK but yet a breath test may show otherwise.
Mon Ami Mate said:
I tried this after a night out in Bath a few months ago. I was genuinely unsure whether I was over the limit or not so was on my way to the taxi rank when I spotted a Battenberg parked up. I asked very nicely but got a very icy response, suggesting, in no uncertain terms, that they had better things to do with their time.
Probably thought you were taking the piss.
The reason we don't do breath tests is simple: if we test you and you're "under", it's possible the level of alcohol in your body is going up. If you then have a bump and/or get tested and are over the limit, there's issues of liability... ie we're in deep doo-doo for giving you the all clear. I wouldn't rely on anything available in shops. If you try to use one of these as a defence, you'll get nowhere, as they're not type approved. Most electronic breath kits used by Police have to be checked/calibrated about once a month. Think the shop will test yours for you every month?!
>> Edited by WMHV70 on Wednesday 28th April 17:32
>> Edited by WMHV70 on Wednesday 28th April 17:32
WMHV70 said:
Most electronic breath kits used by Police have to be checked/calibrated about once a month. Think the shop will test yours for you every month?!
True but the one I bought (costco about £15) has actually got a calibration feature which involves filling a little cap with red wine of a prescribed alcohol % and then going through a little routine. I've used it some mornings after a sesh when I've fealt really poo and been clear, other times when I've fealt ok (probably still p1ssed) its given high readings, surely as a guide they can't be a bad thing.
WMHV70 said:
The reason we don't do breath tests is simple: if we test you and you're "under", it's possible the level of alcohol in your body is going up. If you then have a bump and/or get tested and are over the limit, there's issues of liability... ie we're in deep doo-doo for giving you the all clear. I wouldn't rely on anything available in shops. If you try to use one of these as a defence, you'll get nowhere, as they're not type approved. Most electronic breath kits used by Police have to be checked/calibrated about once a month. Think the shop will test yours for you every month?!
>> Edited by WMHV70 on Wednesday 28th April 17:32
Alcohol level goin up? The following morning? I don't think so!!
mel said:
Most electronic breath kits used by Police have to be checked/calibrated about once a month. Think the shop will test yours for you every month?!
True but the one I bought (costco about £15) has actually got a calibration feature which involves filling a little cap with red wine of a prescribed alcohol % and then going through a little routine. I've used it some mornings after a sesh when I've fealt really poo and been clear, other times when I've fealt ok (probably still p1ssed) its given high readings, surely as a guide they can't be a bad thing.
Where did you get that? It sounds really good.
WMHV70 said:
The reason we don't do breath tests is simple: if we test you and you're "under", it's possible the level of alcohol in your body is going up. If you then have a bump and/or get tested and are over the limit, there's issues of liability... ie we're in deep doo-doo for giving you the all clear.
Isn't that the same as being stopped whilst driving, getting the all-clear, carrying on your journey home and getting stopped again 20 minutes later? Only this time, you're over the limit. "But I tested negative only 20 minutes ago!" "Tough!"
A mate of mine did this after a night out in Norwich. We were coming out of a club and he wanted to drive back to London but was unsure as to whether he was over the limit.
He walked over to a conveniently parked constabulary vehicle and asked if they would do a test as he wanted to drive back to London. They asked when he last consumed alcahol (about an hour previously) and the lady cop said "we will have to use the cheap test if that's ok". He blew into the bag, was clear and off he drove to London.
At the time I thought he was mad, but BiB didn't seem to have a problem, in fact they were positively enthusiastic!
Mind you, just as well they didn't run any other tests
He walked over to a conveniently parked constabulary vehicle and asked if they would do a test as he wanted to drive back to London. They asked when he last consumed alcahol (about an hour previously) and the lady cop said "we will have to use the cheap test if that's ok". He blew into the bag, was clear and off he drove to London.
At the time I thought he was mad, but BiB didn't seem to have a problem, in fact they were positively enthusiastic!
Mind you, just as well they didn't run any other tests
nspasser said:
Alcohol level goin up? The following morning? I don't think so!!
Oh no! Perhaps you have not stopped many people early in the morning then!
Fully agree with the reason about not doing so. The driver then has an RTA some minutes later and is tested and found to be over the limit. The Police then being culpable for knowing that person was affected by alcohol and not stopping them from driving before the RTA occurred.
The best answer to this would have been for her to walk to the taxi rank or bus station rather than the Police Station!
Ahh, for the good old days. I can remember standing nest to a cop at a nightclub door and watching some drunken bugger trying to get the key in his car door. After a good bit of fumbling, he finally succeeded and drove off somewhat erratically.
The cop looked to me and said "It's a good thing he's driving, because he sure can't walk."
The cop looked to me and said "It's a good thing he's driving, because he sure can't walk."
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff