What Is a Breath Alcohol Test
                     What Is a Breath Alcohol Test? 
When you drink alcohol, it gets into your stomach. It is absorbed by your blood and travels through your 
body into your brain and lungs. When you breathe, you breathe out it. 
 
How does the Breath Alcohol Test work? 
The breath alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol in the air you breathe out. The device uses this 
measurement to estimate your blood alcohol level. This number is called your BAC or blood alcohol 
content. 
You may wake up 15 minutes after drinking alcohol. BAC usually points about an hour after you drink 
alcohol. The test does not cause any pain or discomfort and is usually calm and brief. 
What do the results mean? 
Here's how different levels of BAC are measured and how it translates to your driving health, 
according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 
BAC level Effects 
Some loss of judgment, relaxation, mood changes, visual function, and 
.02 
impaired concentration 
Reduced inhibition, exaggerated behavior, difficulty steering, reduced 
.05 
emergency response, impaired ability to track moving objects 
Impaired muscle coordination, judgment, concentration, self-control, and the 
.08 
ability to accurately understand speed 
Significant decrease in reaction time and control, slurred speech, inability to 
.10 
stay in lane or brake properly 
Vomiting (unless tolerated), loss of balance, inability to safely control the 
.15 
vehicle or pay attention to driving activities may occur