Kolkata: Delays in updating software and non-calibration of breathalysers have reportedly been throwing up questionable readings during the anti-drink driving checks at night, prompting police to clean, re-adjust and update software on 200 devices. Police said they were trying to ensure that each of the 20 traffic guards in the city had at least four proper breathalysers.All traffic guards are supposed to centrally re-calibrate the breathalysers for uniform readings..A tender for calibrations of 200 devices has been floated ahead of the festive season, when police keep an especially close watch against drink-driving. The sensors of breathalisers were damaged, said police, by “too much foreign residue” from motorists blowing into the pipes. For now, police planned to re-calibrate the devices at least twice or thrice a year at traffic guards, which reported higher drink-driving cases. “This will help us file accurate data in courts,” said the OC of a north Kolkata traffic guard. Re-calibration is usually required after a year or 5,000 tests but breathalysers used every day need re-alignments more frequently.“A high-precision alcohol breathanalyser, featuring an alcohol-specific electrochemical sensor and motor-driven continuous air extraction, is being procured. The hand-held device measures up to 2.5mg/L alcohol presence in a person’s blood, with swift analysis time under five seconds and clearing time under 10 seconds. The 270g device operates between 5°C and 45°C, incorporates twin 3W flashing lights, an OLED display, a vibration alarm, and a battery that worls at least eight hours at a stretch,” said an officer.An officer pointed out that people often consumed tobacco and similar items to hide the smell of alcohol and they caused maximum damage to the breathalyser sensors as they left foreign residue while blowing into the pipes. “Saliva, too, can damage the devices,” said an officer.
