Evidential breath analysis has advantages in law enforcement in that it is non invasive, fairly hygienic and a result is gained almost immediately. This method for analysing alcohol has developed over approximately 50 years. It began as chemical testing but most evidential breath testing is now by infrared light absorption. In New South Wales, Australia evidential breath analysis was introduced over 30 years ago and it has assisted in playing a major role in attacking the problems associated with alcohol and driving in an epidemiological manner. The road deaths on New South Wales roads fell from 20 per 100,000 in 1950 to 9 per 100,000 in 1996. This process has met with some success yet it is accepted in New South Wales that the use of breath analysis instruments will need to recognise that certain obligations are to be placed upon the process of evidential breath testing as a consequence of the introduction of an international standard.
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