Countermeasures That Work – Alcohol Measurement Devices [Traffic Tech]

Smither, Dereece D. · 2021 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This report, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2021, serves as a technical summary of effective alcohol measurement countermeasures from the 10th edition of *Countermeasures That Work*. The document addresses the persistent public health crisis of alcohol-impaired driving, which causes over 10,000 fatalities annually in the United States. The primary motivation is to assist State Highway Safety Offices and law enforcement professionals in selecting evidence-based technologies to detect Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and enforce legal limits, which are set at 0.08 g/dL in most states and 0.05 g/dL in Utah. The report categorizes and evaluates three primary types of alcohol measurement devices based on their effectiveness, cost, usage frequency, and implementation time. First, it details Breath Test Devices, which are divided into Evidential Breath Test devices (EBTs) and Preliminary Breath Test devices (PBTs) or Alcohol Screening Devices (ASDs). EBTs provide precise, objective BrAC levels suitable for court evidence and conform to NHTSA Model Specifications. PBTs/ASDs are roadside tools that use a pass/fail threshold to establish probable cause for arrest but are rarely used as legal evidence. Second, the report examines Passive Alcohol Sensors (PAS), which are often integrated into flashlights or clipboards to detect alcohol in the air around a driver. PAS units are particularly useful for quick screening at checkpoints or traffic stops where direct observation is limited. Third, the report briefly addresses Personal Breath-Testing Devices, noting their limitations regarding active user engagement and lack of NHTSA specification compliance, which can lead to dangerous misjudgments of rising BAC levels. The findings indicate that all three primary law enforcement tools—EBTs, PBTs/ASDs, and PAS—are strongly supported by research as effective countermeasures. EBTs and PBTs/ASDs are rated as highly effective, with costs ranging from $200 to $2,000 and immediate implementation potential following officer training. PAS units are also rated as highly effective, costing between $300 and $700, though officer resistance may occur due to the need for closer proximity to drivers. The report emphasizes that proper calibration of breath testers is critical for maintaining accuracy. It concludes that the widespread use of these NHTSA-specification-compliant devices significantly reduces alcohol-impaired driving, injuries, and fatalities. The document directs readers to the full *Countermeasures That Work* report and NHTSA’s Conforming Products Lists for detailed specifications and further guidance.

Key finding

Extensive research reviewed in the report shows passive alcohol sensor scores are strong predictors of a driver's blood alcohol concentration status, making them effective impaired-driving enforcement tools.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• alcohol detection systems
• dui enforcement
• alcohol