The Intoxilyzer is a breath test machine that has been used in New York State in various forms for many years.
While it has never been a particularly popular model among the law enforcement agencies in the Rochester area, it has seen extensive use in other parts of the state.
There have been several different versions of this machine in use over the years, but how the machine works has remained essentially the same.
The Intoxilyzer was one of the first breath test machines in New York State to detect alcohol by using infrared light.
A driver who has been brought back to the police station based on suspicion of intoxication will be asked to blow into the breath test machine.
The machine then uses a detector which measures various parameters in the breath sample to ensure that the air in the sample is coming from the driver’s lungs, not his or her mouth or throat.
Once these detectors determine that an appropriate breath sample is being supplied, the machine will then proceed to measure the amount of alcohol in the breath sample.
The Intoxilyzer measures the amount of alcohol present by measuring the amount of interference present in the infrared wavelength centered at 3.39 microns.
Ethyl alcohol is known to absorb infrared energy at this wavelength.
As a result, by exposing the breath sample to a known amount of infrared energy at this wavelength and measuring how much is absorbed, it is possible to determine how much ethyl alcohol is present in the breath sample, as greater concentrations of alcohol will absorb greater amounts of infrared energy.
Understanding how the breath test machine works is an important part of defending any DWI case involving a breath test.
If you need an experienced DWI lawyer, call us at 585-484-7432.
Recent Posts
DWI Arrests Spike After the Holidays: What You Need to Know in New York
The holiday season is synonymous with gatherings, festivities, and an uptick in alcohol consumption. While [...]
Thanksgiving DWI Arrests: What Rochester Drivers Need to Know
Thanksgiving marks one of the busiest and most festive times of the year. It’s a [...]
What Happens If You Get a DWI on Halloween in New York?
Halloween is often seen as a night of celebration, full of costumes, parties, and plenty [...]
Navigating New York’s DWI Laws How to Protect Yourself
New York has some of the toughest impaired driving laws in the country. A DWI [...]
How to Challenge Field Sobriety Tests in a DUI Case
Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming, especially if the arrest involved field sobriety tests. [...]
Understanding Aggravated DWI Charges in New York State
If you are here, you or someone you love may be facing an aggravated DWI [...]
The Impact of a DUI Conviction on Your Driver’s License in Rochester
If you’ve recently been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Rochester, you’re likely [...]
First-Time DWI in New York Penalties and Your Legal Options
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re facing the serious charge of driving while intoxicated [...]