Getting breathalised on request.

Mitch Connor

Just wondering, is it possible to go into a Garda station and be breathalised on request? I am very paranoid when it comes to driving the day after, pretty much regardless of how much I had the previous night. If i was to head down the country to visit my mate and have a few, i'd be very weary of driving back up the next day; but he lives fairly close to the local Garda station, so was wondering if they'd breathalise me on request the following afternoon, so i'd know if i was ok to drive.

Common sense would indicate to me that there shouldn't be a problem, but i'm figuring there might be some legal issue that would stop them, in case the equipment in the station is inaccurate or something.

biko

Yeah they could get in trouble somehow so I'd be surprised if they would breathalyse you, even though it makes good sense.

Zapho

Sure just buy your own breathaliser, the cost about €100 or so, but its worth keeping one in your car. It might not be bang on accurate, but if it says your over the limit, then
trust it.

Henry Ford III

Zapho wrote: »

Sure just buy your own breathaliser, the cost about €100 or so, but its worth keeping one in your car. It might not be bang on accurate, but if it says your over the limit, then
trust it.

Yep. What if it says you are marginally under though?

BlackWizard

Fifth Gear had a piece on breathalysers a while back.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/420-Fifth-Gear-Are_638717.htm

Darragh29

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Just wondering, is it possible to go into a Garda station and be breathalised on request? I am very paranoid when it comes to driving the day after, pretty much regardless of how much I had the previous night. If i was to head down the country to visit my mate and have a few, i'd be very weary of driving back up the next day; but he lives fairly close to the local Garda station, so was wondering if they'd breathalise me on request the following afternoon, so i'd know if i was ok to drive.

Common sense would indicate to me that there shouldn't be a problem, but i'm figuring there might be some legal issue that would stop them, in case the equipment in the station is inaccurate or something.

Rule number one in life, "Do not go into a Garda station unless you absolutely have to!"...

You can buy breathalysers on the web, they would only see it as you wasting their time.

JoeySully

i was at a 4 day festival were a group of us indulged in copious amounts of alcohol! there was a large amount of Guards at the venue - we approached them and asked if we could get a breathalyzer test and they pretty much laughed at us and told us we should know ourselves if we were OK to drive:rolleyes: there was random breathalyzer check for drivers entering the festival grounds but no one guard did i see leaving it!

firefly08

Well, if you were on the piss previous night and you feel like you might be OK to drive the next day, that should set alarm bells ringing! You're probably still drunk. On the other hand, if you feel like crap, then you might be sober, but you're still better off not driving for obvious reasons.

If you're worried about driving the next day after just a few drinks, then definitely get a breathalyzer.

Davidth88

This is actually a good and fair question .

I imagine however the answer would be NO

You may be under the limit at the time of that test but over in a little while ( ie you just had a drink but it's not yet in your system ) .
In effect the police / Gardai would be ' giving you permission to drive ' so to speak.

kippy

Davidth88 wrote: »

This is actually a good and fair question .

I imagine however the answer would be NO

You may be under the limit at the time of that test but over in a little while ( ie you just had a drink but it's not yet in your system ) .
In effect the police / Gardai would be ' giving you permission to drive ' so to speak.

I wouldnt like to see people use Garda stations for this type of thing.
AS suggested get one yourself.
Also just because you are under the limit does not mean you are fit to drive, you could feel like crap and be tired which are almost as bad as being slightly over the limit.
You really have to make your own decisions on this coupled with whatever information you have, how bad you feel, a reading off your own breathalyser etc.
Kippy

deadwood

O.P.,

This is a resonable enough question. Several times people have asked me a question like yours (mostly by young males wanting to do the right thing, I should add.). "Guard, had a few last night at the feshtvil/ shtaag/ finnerdil/official opening etc. but now I really need to drive back to Ballydehob. Am I o.k. to drive?".

I'll tell them if they're not sure, then leave it. Also, they could be tested for other substances, which raises an embarrassed, knowing blush occasionally!

To answer your queation though, no. All activity on these mechines is recorded and would have to tally with the amount of prisoners and prosecutions.

It mightn't be a bad stunt to set up an intoxilyzer or a few hand held units at festivals (the ould guard always goes for the young lads:D), race meetings, football/hurleyball matches and others or even pub car parks. Let people have a free test and unveil some of the mystery.