An estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is determined with a breath alcohol test. This test measures the amount of alcohol in the air stream that you breathe out (exhale). A simple hand held device is available enabling you to measure breath alcohol level on yourself. The device can provide a correct estimate of your blood alcohol level if calibrated and used in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions. This home machine is similar to, though not as exact as, the type of test used by police for suspected drunk drivers.

Your blood alcohol concentration begins to rise within minutes of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach, going into the bloodstream, traveling throughout your body and to your brain. This direct line allows blood alcohol levels to increase quickly.

The amount of alcohol in your blood reaches its highest level about 60 minutes after drinking. However, food in your stomach may increase the amount of time it takes for the blood alcohol to reach its highest level. Most of the alcohol is broken down in the liver. The rest of it is passed out of your body in urine and your exhaled breath. You can buy breath alcohol devices to measure your breath alcohol concentration at many pharmacies or through the Internet.

The manual device is a glass tube (or a balloon and a glass tube) containing crystals that change color when exposed to alcohol from your breath. This device is simpler and less expensive than electronic meters.

The electronic meter is a glass mouthpiece attached to a meter that shows your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) percentage in a digital display window. This type of meter is more expensive than the manual type.

Many bars and restaurants provide their customers with free alcohol breath tests using one of these two methods. The devices are also used to monitor people in an alcohol rehabilitation center or hospital.

The purpose of the breath alcohol self-test is to estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The results are an important factor in deciding whether it is safe to drive. It is important to note that this estimate of blood alcohol is not intended to represent your actual driving abilities. Your driving may be impaired even with a low BAC level, such as below 0.05.

The most reliable piece of information provided by the breath alcohol test is simple. When Deciding on drinking and driving, the safest move is to not drive with any amount of alcohol haven been consumed.

Most police and other legal authorities use blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine if a person is legally impaired and should not be behind the wheel. A blood alcohol concentration falling between 0.05 to 0.10 is considered legally impaired across most of the United States, but knows that legal BAC levels can vary from state to state.

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) can be deadly. Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all fatal highway accidents. Even mild intoxication can impair your ability to drive safely. At 0.06 BAC, your judgment and physical coordination are impaired. At a BAC of 0.08, your muscle coordination and driving ability are significantly impaired.

Having any amount of alcohol in your blood can mean that judgment and reflexes will be impaired. You can purchase breath alcohol tests on the Internet, either directly from the manufacturer or from a company that sells this kind of product. To find a vendor simply do an internet search for the type of test or the name of the manufacturer.