The AlcoSense Excel personal breathalyser
The AlcoSense Excel personal breathalyser

The AlcoSense Excel is a personal breathalyser that enables drivers to test their own breath alcohol levels to make an informed decision on whether they are safe and legal to drive.

And why does that matter to you?

Well, many drivers get behind the wheel the ‘morning after’, unknowingly over the legal blood-alcohol limit. RSA figures show that one in eight drink-driving arrests occur between 8am and 2pm.

Alcohol is a factor in 38% of fatal crashes in Ireland, and any amount of it impairs driving and increases the risk of a collision.

According to the RSA, an average of 180 drivers were arrested each week in 2017 on suspicion of driving under the influence, while enforcement statistics for the first nine months of 2018 show that more than 6,500 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence.

Change in Irish legislation around drink driving

Last week new legislation came into effect under which first-time drink-driving offenders will be automatically banned from driving for three months if caught with between 50-80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of blood. This is equivalent to 0.22 – 0.35 mgs of alcohol per litre of breath. Previously, drivers caught at these levels received three penalty points and a fine – but no driving ban.

The AlcoSense Excel Breathalyser

The AlcoSense Excel is an Auto Express Group Test and German Design Award Winner 2018. The device uses a smaller version of the identical fuel cell sensor found in several European and US police breathalysers, and can be set to any worldwide limit when driving abroad. The AlcoSense Excel senses the volume of breath exhaled during the test and takes a reading after 1.2 litres of air for very accurate readings of deep lung air.

The AlcoSense Excel breathalyser is available in Ireland from Halfords at €119.99 or direct from the company’s website, www.alcosense.ie.

Every 12 months the owner will receive a reminder to return the device to be recalibrated. This costs €29.99 and can be arranged through the AlcoSense website.