A dollar can buy a credit card-sized personal breathalizer kit to help decide if that beer after a grueling day of classes has put one over the legal limit.
The money spent on the kit might be a worthwhile investment for those debating if they are sober enough to hit the road. Fines for a first offence of DUI can be up to $5,000, said Officer Tony Lopinsky of the State College Police Department.
Also, court costs can run from $1,200 to $1,500, said Debra Reed, office supervisor of Centre County Probation Services. Moreover, drunk drivers can pose a hazard to themselves and others.
The most common kit in State College, produced by Guardian Angel, can be found at many local gas stations and drug stores.
"This product is not meant to give people the green light to drink and drive. We are trying to educate people about their blood alcohol content," said Adam Handelsman, spokesman for Guardian Angel.
The kit consists of strips to be placed on the tongue. One cannot drink, eat or smoke for 10 minutes before using the kit. After 10 seconds, the strips change color according to the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. The user can match the shade of the strip to a color-coded hazard-o-meter on the kit.
The colors indicate if users have a low-range blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04 percent or less, a high level of 0.04 percent or more and the highest level indicates a BAC of 0.08 percent or more.
The product indicates, even after consuming only a few drinks, it is best to never drink and drive. An 800 number to locate the nearest taxi service is provided on the package.
"This is not a novelty or a frat house game. This product is meant to be a tool to educate people and help them to make responsible decisions," Handelsman said.
In Pennsylvania, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or higher is illegal. Pennsylvania also has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.
Over St. Patrick's Day there were two DUI arrests, but this is a lower number than usual, Lopinsky said.
Careful consideration must be used if relying completely on the kit to determine if it is safe to drive home, State College Police Sgt. John Wilson said.
"A blood test is the only reliable way of testing BAC. I would not suggest that people use these things to determine whether or not they can drive," Wilson said.
Evelyn McKee, president of Centre and Clinton County's Mothers Against Drunk Driving, agreed with Wilson. It is hard to tell if the product is reliable, she said. However, if the product is proven effective, they could be helpful in preventing drinking and driving, she added.
Handelsman said the product has undergone extensive, independent laboratory testing and has been proven reliable.
Various police departments, such as the California Highway Patrol, have been handing out the kits to promote responsible drinking, Handelsman said.
Some store managers have not found the kits popular in State College.
"People think that they are really cool, but nobody really buys them. We have only sold two since January," said Jason Jones, manager of the Uni-Mart at 718 Bellair Ave.
