Legal Definitions - intoxilyzer

An intoxilyzer is a specialized electronic device used by law enforcement to measure a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) by analyzing a sample of their breath. It is a type of breathalyzer, specifically designed to provide accurate and legally admissible readings of alcohol concentration in the body. These devices are critical tools in enforcing laws against impaired driving and are often used at the scene of a traffic stop or at a police station.

• Example 1: Traffic Stop for Suspected Impaired Driving

  Imagine a police officer pulls over a driver who was observed weaving between lanes late at night. After interacting with the driver, the officer notices signs of impairment, such as slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. To gather objective evidence, the officer asks the driver to submit to an intoxilyzer test. The driver provides a breath sample into the device, which then calculates and displays their BAC. This reading provides immediate, quantifiable evidence of whether the driver is operating a vehicle above the legal alcohol limit.

• Example 2: Post-Accident Investigation

  Consider a scenario where two cars are involved in a collision at an intersection. When police arrive to investigate, one of the drivers appears disoriented and has difficulty answering questions, and officers detect an odor of alcohol. To determine if alcohol impairment was a factor in the accident, the investigating officer uses an intoxilyzer. The device's reading of the driver's BAC can be crucial in establishing liability and in any criminal charges related to driving under the influence that might arise from the incident.

• Example 3: Commercial Driver Safety Compliance

  A commercial truck driver is completing a routine delivery when their vehicle is subjected to a random safety inspection by Department of Transportation officials. As part of this inspection, which aims to ensure public safety on the roads, the driver is required to take an intoxilyzer test. This test verifies that the driver has no alcohol in their system, ensuring compliance with strict federal regulations that prohibit commercial drivers from operating vehicles with any measurable alcohol content, thereby preventing potential accidents caused by impairment.