How safe are alcolock devices?

Question

Hi Guys,

How save are alcolock devices. Couldn't the driver just blow a balloon before drinking and then just release it just before driving again??

Does anyone have more information about such device??

Cheers

Answer 1

They're safer than letting the driver get behind the wheel without testing, I'll tell you that much!

Could someone blow up a balloon, and then release that into the device before driving?  Maybe...  but how many drinkers are going to drink so much they'll blow the test, but still be able to A) secure the balloon ahead of time in such a way that it still has enough for the test when they get back.  b) find the balloon after they get back in the car.  c) Remember to use it.  and D) Get the air from the balloon into the machine in the proper way before the balloon is empty.

I'm guessing most alcoholics will have about as much trouble with the "Where's my Balloon To Cheat the Alcohlock?" sobriety test as they would with the actual test.  Those who can cheat it... Well, I'm guessing they would be slightly safer drunk drivers than the average drinker.

I'm also guessing that anyone who plans far enough ahead for a balloon trick, and practices enough to pull it off would probably not have gotten a DUI in the first place.

Answer 2

No it wont work with a balloon, it takes a hard steady blow for it to work.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006...

Answer 3

These things are for people who can't think for themselves...People who don't know that after having had a couple of beers they should not be driving...But hey!...If this thing says I'm sober, then it must be OK to drive, right??...Officer?..Waddya mean yours says 0.09?...You can't take me to jail...I'm not drunk!!...What machine do you think the court will believe?

Moral of the story - get somebody else (sober) to drive for you.

Answer 4

This is a very controversial matter but regardless of peoples opinions I dont think the balloon trick would work. I am pretty sure that you have to blow into them with a fair amount of force, more than just releasing air out of a balloon. One thing that they cannot get around though (at least not yet that I am aware of) is having someone else blow into it for you. Personally I think if someone has been convicted of a DUI that they are a good idea. Even though it is possible to have someone else blow into it for you more than likely thats not going to happen.