Breathalyzer machines catch on in Valley bars

TEMPE, AZ - Nearly 1,000 people are killed on Arizona roads every year in drunk driving accidents, but now a local company Is trying to do something about it.

Scottsdale based Blo-Safe is determined to add breathalyzer machines to as many Valley bars as possible.

The Alco built breathalyzers tell customers what their blood alcohol content is,  within .01 percent accuracy. Blo-Safe believes that would help drinkers decide weather or not they are safe to drive.

"The patron puts a dollar in, the machine counts down from nine seconds, they insert a straw on an opening and blow for probably five seconds and then they get their reading," said Blo-Safe co-owner Freddy Krems.

Bars in the Valley are catching on to these new machines.

"Those things are almost as popular as drinking,” Tempe’s Zuma bar manager Tau Tuvale. “I want to let other bars know that this is a good thing and we should get it out there in as many spots, especially high-volume spots. It definitely makes a difference."

Freddy Krems and his father Mark give the machines to bars for free. They do all of the maintenance and service on the machines. They even split the profits with the bars.

The Krems believe they are saving lives.

"Even if they (customers) don't use it, just looking at it makes people think, 'should I drive, have I had too much to drink?’ “ Freddy said. “It still reminds people that there are cops out there checking for DUIs and also accidents out there that cause deaths."

Bar goers ABC 15 talked with said they loved the idea behind the machines.

"A lot of college kids don't realize how much they drink, especially when they go out at night,” Zuma customer Jason Jocham said. “It's a great idea. Tempe police are really cracking down on DUIs, and on top of keeping kids safe, it keeps them from getting in trouble."

On Mill Avenue in Tempe there are dozens of bars that could keep their customers better aware of their blood-alcohol level with the machines.

The Krems believe one reason more bars are not taking advantage of the free machines is because they are under the impression the breathalyzers could make them liable in court if one of their customers is involved in legal problems after leaving the bar, such as drunk driving.

The Krems said legally, no bar with the machines would be held responsible for the negligence of its customers. Although the machines are helpful and accurate, they are each carry a statement that says, “For entertainment purposes.”

For more information on the breathalyzer systems, contact Mark Krems at 480-392-5808, or email mark@blo-safe.com