Portable Breath Testing Devices in Oregon

Portable Breath Testing Devices (PBTs) are not used in Oregon DUI cases, although they are sometimes used in Minor in Possession (MIP) cases and Boating Under the Influence (BUI) investigations.

Portable Breath Testing Devices are small, battery-operated, quick, relatively-inexpensive and relatively-inaccurate breath testing devices used to estimate blood alcohol with a small breath sample. They are not allowed to be used in Oregon DUI investigations because they are not accurate-enough to properly estimate blood alcohol levels.

Most PBTs cost in the range of $500, and models are made by Intoximeters, Lifeloc, Intoxilyzer, and DataMaster. There are some models closer to $100 for consumers (such as the AlcoHAWK).

Parents and people hosting or entertaining adults who are drinking may find a PBT to be a smart and responsible investment, but they are simply not accurate-enough to provide certainty as to a driver’s exact blood alcohol level.