Advance Diagnostics Case Studies
Wall Mounted Breathalyser Changes Drinking Culture- Far North REAP
Success of Centurion on alcohol consumption
The Far North has some of the worst statistics in Aotearoa when it comes to drink driving, they are a close second to Te Tairawhiti (Gisborne Area) for crashes involving driver impairment.
Far North REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) is a community development organisation based in Kaitaia.
Their Road Safety are always thinking of different strategies to help the community combat this gloomy statistic. One idea they wanted to explore was the use of a breathalyser in one of the local pubs and its impact on patrons’ behaviour.
In the ideal world, society would have zero tolerance for any level of alcohol while driving, but we know this is not reality, people can have roughly two standard drinks and then drive but then this depends on so many other variables such as metabolism, size, age, gender, emotional state, what you ate that day, and what activities you did. There are so many subjective measures and that’s without including the general public’s understanding of what a standard drink is.
The Far North REAP Road Safety unit approached us to get a solution to help solve their drink driving culture.

Solutions Advance Diagnostics provided
What the breathalyser aims to do is help staff and patrons make better-informed decision and raise awareness around the risks of driving impaired based on the ability to test themselves independently to help make better decisions.
The Wall Mounted -Centurion Quantum was supplied by Advance Diagnostics.
The device has been in use on a trial period of 6 months at a local pub – The Awanui Hotel – which is situated just North of Kaitaia. During this time, Far North REAP collected data from the breathalyser and interviewed the duty managers Kylie and Hilda to get their feedback on its impact on patrons and staff. Patrons are made aware that the device should be treated as a guide and that ultimately, they are responsible for the choices they make.
Since the trial, it has been received well from patrons.
“I honestly can’t stress it enough it’s been a massive, a massive positive impact on our patrons especially our locals and regulars you know they’re taking it very seriously and we’re promoting it”. – Kylie
One of the benefits of the wall mounted breathalyser is that it can record data such as date and time of each test with alcohol level results.
Outcome
They found that a majority of users were over the limit to drive, with nearly a third registering alcohol in their system and the least amount testing sober. What they found with patrons using the machine is it became a tool of engagement for staff to work with patrons and apply different strategies depending on their level of intoxication.
“I think having a physical thing right in front of you screaming at you, makes a huge difference to anyone” – Kylie
“Nine times out of ten when we didn’t have this resource there use to be a big kick and fuss over trying to help them. I think seeing it in the physical having it there, actually partaking with the machine not in a Police, pulled up environment helps” – Kylie
This improved compliance from patrons has meant Kylie and her staff have been able to implement strategies more effectively.
“With high readings I really don’t give them an option”
“Depends if they have someone else with them, well go through the steps”.
“If there’s no one amongst them able to drive we try to sort it in house amongst the staff, we do it many a times, many times we’ve done it, and we will continue to do it”.
Different approaches are used with orange readings which are below the limit but still register alcohol in the system.
“I always encourage them to wait, have some water, have some kai if they want something to eat because it’s all gonna help get you back to green”. – Kylie
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