New Jersey residents will be interested to hear that breath sensors used to measure the level of alcohol, which were once only owned by the police department, are becoming cheaper and easier to buy. The market is now flooded with microelectronic alcohol detecting systems and are often the sizes of a trinket on a keychain. The new devices come with their own apps and many of them can be purchased as smartphone accessories. The personal breath sensor units are helpful to drivers, parents and employers. However, they do not provide assurance that the car operator is safe from DUI charges. Alcohol tolerance fluctuates from person to person, and it depends on various factors such as weight and age.
The newest models of alcohol detecting devices come with brand new technology called fuel cell unit. Battery operated and small in size, the device uses a metallic catalyst that breaks down alcohol into acid and water. The chemical reaction also produces electricity which the unit uses to measure the levels of alcohol. Several companies are now manufacturing similar devices at different price ranges. Some of the helpful apps include a list of the local restaurants where the driver can stop and sober up as well as the list of regional taxi companies.
Cheaper measuring devices come equipped with a tin oxide semiconductor. The units provide similar results, but may need recharging after three to six months of continuous use. They may also produce false positive results mistaking hair spray or cologne made with alcohol for the actual levels of liquor in the blood. The units are approved for use by the Transportation Department and are calibrated by the manufacturer.
Most police departments use standardized models of breath sensors and often require the driver to be transported to the police station if there is any indication that the car operator may be intoxicated. If the driver is pulled over, many police officers will use the disguised flashlight-shaped device which serves as an air sensor to determine if the subject qualifies for the field sobriety test and arrest. A criminal defense attorney in New Jersey may be a great source of legal help when dealing with DUI charges.