The first thing we are going to do in order to discover the meaning of the term breathalyzer is to know its etymological origin. In this case, we have to explain that this is a word made up of two different parts:
-Arabic “al-kohol”.
-The Greek component “hemia”, which can be translated as “quality of blood”.
The concept of breathalyzer refers to the amount of alcohol that is present in the blood. The term usually appears if reference is made to an excessive level with respect to the parameters that are considered normal.
When an individual ingests alcoholic beverages, a certain amount of alcohol remains in their blood. The breathalyzer test, also called blood alcohol test or breathalyser test , to measure the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream, a fact that if a person is relieved or not alcoholic.
Said measurement is very important since it allows the authorities to control motor vehicle drivers: the person who drives after having drunk alcohol puts his life and the life of anyone who circulates on public roads at risk. A high amount of alcohol in the blood causes a person to lose their reflexes, react slowly, have motor problems and experience difficulties in their vision.
Typically, the breathalyser control reflects how many grams of alcohol are in each liter of blood. In Argentina, Spain, France and other countries, for example, the limit of blood alcohol allowed to drive a car is 0.5: that is, 0.5 grams of alcohol for every liter of blood.
The breathalyzer test is carried out by blowing on a device. When the driver exhales into the device, the air is analyzed and then the detected alcohol level is displayed. If the breathalyser is positive and the amount of alcohol exceeds the permitted amount, the authorities may compel the driver to stop, since he is not fit to drive.
In Spain it is necessary to know another series of important aspects about the control and the blood alcohol rate:
-It is established that the Road Safety Law considers that it is really a very serious offense to drive under the influence of alcohol and above the permitted rates.
-The sanction that can be imposed, among other things, will mean the withdrawal of the driving license.
-Driving above 0.6 mg / l of air breathed is considered a crime that is punishable by a sentence of between 3 to 6 months in jail, working in community benefits for a maximum of 90 days and a fine of between 6 to 12 months.
-People who refuse to collaborate with a breathalyser and manifest to the agents of the authority that they are not going to submit to it will have to assume the consequences. Which? To face a very serious penalty that involves the loss of 6 points of the driving license, a fine of up to 600 euros and the suspension of the driving license for up to three months.
-In many controls, in addition to the breathalyser tests, drug tests are carried out.
