Breathalyzers in Bars?

[LSN80]

If you live in Utah and are out for a night of drinking with friends and are trying to decide whether or not you should drive, a new tool is already being tested inside bars to help you make that decision. The breathalyzer.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/utah-put-breathalyzer-type-devices-bars-22524347

Formally each late night driver's worst nightmare, the breathalyzer-in-bars could turn out to be one's saving grace. A proposal from Draper Republican Representative Greg Hughes aiming to help cut down on drunk driving, it wouldn't be a requirement of any bar to install, but the measure would allow bars to install them at close to $1,000 total, charging customers who use them $2.00 to use them, making them a venerable cash cow. For those who feel good enough to drive but unsure of their sobriety itself, this could be the deciding factor. Further, it would be beneficial to younger patrons and the bars themselves, says Hughes:

"It makes good sense. Setting up the machines alongside pool tables and juke boxes would especially help younger drinkers who are still learning their limits. The measure won't require any bar to install the testing devices, but it would ensure businesses aren't held responsible for customers who fail a breath test but decide to drive anyway."

I wouldn't have minded having this in my drinking days, to be honest. There were several times I was nominated designated driver at the end of the night because I was the one who seemed the most sober, though I still felt unsure about driving. I didn't doubt I could safely get my friends and myself home, but I did have a great deal of worry as to whether or not I would pass a sobriety test. In these cases, were I to blow over the limit, I could say no to my friends, regardless of the argument placed in front of me. Similarly, there were times I could have asked friends who wanted to drive themselves home to take the test, and if they failed, I'd have taken their keys and driven them instead in a heartbeat.

While this seems a good measure, both for bars and patrons, there are some bars hesitant to back them due to questions over the accuracy of the devices due to the circulation of alcohol in the bloodstream. Bob McCarthy owner of The Garage on Beck, a Salt Lake City bar, is one of those bar owners wary of such devices.

"If customers were to register a lower level of alcohol than they expected, it could embolden them to drive when they normally wouldn't. Somebody could feel they shouldn't be driving but the number says 0.08, which is right on the border, so maybe they'll go and they shouldn't go. Just know how much you've had to drink and whether you're OK to drive."

I understand where he's coming from in one sense, in that installing machines could encourage drivers to drink that otherwise don't feel ok, but because the machine says they're fine, they drive. But the attitude of 'Just know whether or not you're ok to drive'is a silly one, because I know of plenty of people who felt "Fine to drive" who wound up with DUI's as a result because they went through sobriety checks and blew just over the limit. If a person were to blow over the limit at McCarthy's bar, that alone settles the issue, regardless of whether or not they feel "fine." It would help in prevention of both DUI arrests and drunk driving accidents were this to happen.

And if someone is close to the line blown, they should be smart enough to hand over their keys anyways. Owners such as McCarthy can post signs warning customers that the machines aren't 100% scientifically accurate, so if it's close, don't chance it. People who have been drinking-even under the limit-aren't always thinking straight anyways, so having extra tools and reminders that are a guarantee of extra generated revenue as well for a bar seems like a can't-lose proposal for me. Being that it would generate revenue for them, I'd be fine with a bill that forces bars to install them, and I'd think a bar would be silly to fight it.

Screw the supposed violation of rights. Take the extra cash and save some lives along the way.

Would you be for or against mandatory breathalyzer machines in bars where patrons could choose to pay to check their BAL before driving?

Is Bob McCarthy's issue with machines not being 100% accurate, thus leading to people driving drunk because they blew under the limit a reasonable one?

Isn't it much more reasonable for a bar owner such as McCarthy to install the device and post a warning sign that the device isn't 100% accurate?

All other thoughts or discussion on the topic are welcome here.

 

[klunderbunker]

This is a great idea. While it may not be completely accurate, it's FAR more accurate than someone who has been drinking trying to guess if they're sober enough or not. McCarthy certainly does have a point, but my idea would be the same suggested in the third bold line: put up a sign saying this isn't 100% accurate and if you're close, it's better to play on the safe side and call a cab. If nothing else, paying the $2 fee might keep someone from buying another drink and getting even worse.

 

[Akhilleus]

Of course I'd be okay with it. I agree that this is a fantastic idea. Why not? There is seriously no negative to this situation, because like the guy above me said it is a much better option than the alternative where you don't even have any clue on whether you're drunk enough or not. The only bad thing about it is that people would have to pay for it, and I think that most people leaving a bar would rather not fork over a couple extra bucks just to see if they should drive. In fact most of the time if they're drunk enough they wouldn't care. They should, but they won't. And what happens if you do find you're too drunk? Do they just hang out for a couple hours? Call a cab?

That's the problem. I think anyone responsible enough to check their breath is responsible enough to either have a designated drinker, or have an alternative anyway.

None the less the fact is that it couldn't hurt, so why not do it?

 

[Mustang Sally]

The measure won't require any bar to install the testing devices, he said, but it would ensure businesses aren't held responsible for customers who fail a breath test but decide to drive anyway.

Well, at least that's something in the bar owner's favor, which is a change from the usual "blame game" that forces the bar to have insurance to protect against lawsuits from third parties that sue the bars for damages done to them by patrons of that bar. Of course, whether the measure would actually get the bar off the hook is iffy once the case goes to court.

Then, too, this device is only used when the customer wants to check his own alcohol level? That's nice, I suppose, but doesn't cover the right patrons. The list of DUIs is full of folks who "knew" they were okay to drive and wound up causing damage. Those folks are the last ones who would ever utilize a device such as this, preferring instead to blame the bar that served them "to excess" after they drove drunk and had an accident.

Still, if a bar patron is responsible enough to want to use this machine, I wouldn't charge them money to do it. If the state thinks it will make such a difference to the good and wants the bar to pay $1000 to install it, let the government reimburse the bar for each use of the machine.

 

[#tamale]

In the past two days there were seven deaths here that were related to drunk driving. Of course I am for the breathalzyer. Hell, I use a car service when I go out and drink with the lady because I'd rather pay extra then pay for the rest of my life. What McCarthy doesn't realize or maybe forgets is that people who are drunk are stubborn. At least that's my experience with drunks. Put up a sign that says it isn't one hundred percent accurate, but also the numbers of taxi services with their rates on the side.

Just one suggestion; the breathalyzer should look like this:

 

[Kool Aid Man]

Breathalyzers in bars are a great idea. Well I do think bar patrons are misrepresented and painted as the kind of drunk driver addict/fiend that kills a little girl on a bicycle (how many little girls are riding their bikes at 2AM when the bar closes?), it is a serious concern.

I see your point that it encourages drinking, or buzzed driving. However, from the legal standpoint, 0.08 is a very conservative amount of alcohol for many to be considered "drunk." Anything under that is thus legally acceptable.

The utility I see in this is people opted to taking either public transit or a taxi home after finding they're over the limit, or mellowing out in the bar a little until their BAC goes down.

 

[LSN80]

Breathalyzers in bars are a great idea. Well I do think bar patrons are misrepresented and painted as the kind of drunk driver addict/fiend that kills a little girl on a bicycle (how many little girls are riding their bikes at 2AM when the bar closes?), it is a serious concern.

I understand, and I'd never represent drunks as such. There are people who drive drunk during the daytime who hurt others, but those are far less then those whom do so at night. I had a good friend during my drinking days who drove me around 2-3 nights a week when we'ld both been drinking, I just assumed, likely among the blissful ignorant, that she was sober. One morning, after Id stayed over at her place once again(it happened often), I asked her about it, and she laughed. "I drive drunk all the time", she said, continuing to giggle. "I can handle it, it's no big deal."

I was horrified, and never rode with her again. She's fortunate that she was never pulled over, as it would have been the end of what I know to this day is a successful career, which would have been a darn shame. She's a wonderful therapist, and despite our philosophy differences, I've been trying unsuccessfully to get her to work for me for years.

Some people, like she was, don't care, and that will only be remedied if they mature or if something terrible happens, be it a DUI, or she hurts someone or herself. But for those who care, and are willing to spend two bucks, it's a fantastic idea.

I see your point that it encourages drinking, or buzzed driving. However, from the legal standpoint, 0.08 is a very conservative amount of alcohol for many to be considered "drunk." Anything under that is thus legally acceptable.

Not my point, it was the one made by the bar owner. That's why I proposed the idea of putting up a sign above the breathalyzer stating that it's not 100% accurate, and if you're close, don't drive.

As for the .08 being a conservative amount of alcohol, it is if you've been drinking for awhile, or can hold your alcohol. But if you've just turned 21, or don't drink much/ It could be more then enough to make that person unfit to drive.

After all, how many of us know people who felt "fine enough" to drive, only to hit a sobriety checkpoint and blow just over, subsequently receiving a DUI? I have two friends from my drinking days whom this happened to. Personally, I don't encourage people to drive at all if they drink, but that's just me. It's not a viewpoint I try and push on others, just my stance.

The utility I see in this is people opted to taking either public transit or a taxi home after finding they're over the limit, or mellowing out in the bar a little until their BAC goes down.

Absolutely. The only problem is, in places such as my town(I actually live a half hour outside of Pittsburgh), the taxis stop at 7pm, and public transit at 11. So if you're going to be out at a bar past that, in a town such as mine, it's all the more reason why this is a great idea. Thanks for your post.

 

[axedale]

Breathalyzers in bars are a great idea. Well I do think bar patrons are misrepresented and painted as the kind of drunk driver addict/fiend that kills a little girl on a bicycle (how many little girls are riding their bikes at 2AM when the bar closes?), it is a serious concern.

I see your point that it encourages drinking, or buzzed driving. However, from the legal standpoint, 0.08 is a very conservative amount of alcohol for many to be considered "drunk." Anything under that is thus legally acceptable.

The utility I see in this is people opted to taking either public transit or a taxi home after finding they're over the limit, or mellowing out in the bar a little until their BAC goes down.

Absolutely. Breathalyzers are becoming more and more affordable and accessible too.

http://reviewshot.com/personal-breathalyzer-review/

The average bar owner would be able to easily purchase a few without taking out too much from the budget.
The technology is to the point is that patrons can have it for themselves and and actually be able to self police.

 

[jameyt2003]

I think that breathalyzers should be more affordable for the consumer. It would be a great tool for out-on-the-towners. Even if someone decides to go over that legal limit, atleast they would have the opportunity to invest in something that reminds them that, there is a limit and a risk to going over that limit.

This isn't best for business when it comes to bar ownership, but it does perpetuate the need for responsibility and consideration for the law and, most importantly, other peoples safety on the roads.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Not a big fan of the notion of mandatory breathalyzers in bars. Because I have a zero tolerance for drinking and driving and as such, there really should be no need to use one. As I see it, if you are driving, you have the responsibility to not drink, for the benefit of yourself as well as those around you. My approach is simple. If I am driving, I am giving one beer and that's it, or possibly two if I am out for an extended evening until late. If I have to check to see I have the ability to beat some machine, I've got no business getting behind the wheel in the first place.

Where I live, we have invented the groundbreaking invention known as taxis. If I am going to be drinking to any extent at all, I am using one of these. Therefore, I have no use for these machines. Either I am driving and therefore not drinking, or I am riding with a sober friend, or I'm jumping in a cab.

These machines will in all likelihood give people a false sense of security, and will create the tendency for those who shouldn't be driving to get the false perception that they can. By human nature, people will try to do whatever they can to beat the machine, to justify getting behind the wheel. And who's to know how accurate these machines will be in the first place? Who is liable is someone is told (erroneously) by one of these machines that they can drive, then goes out and hurts or kills themselves or someone else? How do you prove that they used this machine in the first place.

I'm not arrogant enough to think I am above the law, nor have I ever won an Olympic gold medal with a broken freakin' neck. Therefore, I put my faith in my own common sense in terms of not getting behind the wheel of a car if I have been drinking, more so than some random machine to justify what I shouldn't be doing in the first place.