Pub bosses fear false breath readings

Some hospitality industry bosses in Wairarapa fear the possibility of false breathalyser readings.

Trust House chief executive Allan Pollard said none of the venues owned by his organisation had breathalysers for customer use.

"I'm a bit nervous about breathalysers because it can sometimes give people a false reading."

Breathalysers needed to be properly calibrated to ensure they gave accurate readings, he said.

"I don't want to give people false hope or false belief that they are under the limit.

"It's a risk to the customer to rely on a piece of equipment that they don't know if it has been calibrated properly or not."

Horse and Hound Cafe and Bar manager Tia Baxter said the bar did not offer breathalyser tests, fearing they might give inaccurate information.

"You are opening yourself up for a bit of a letdown really, so I'm not sure if it's something we would do because it can be inconsistent.

"We want to keep our customers safe but we don't want to give them false information at the same time."

While taxis were readily available, staff occasionally drove customers home and a courtesy van was under consideration, she said.

Meanwhile, other pub owners saw having a breathalyser as a tool to encourage patrons to rethink the decision to drive.

Pongaroa Hotel owner Gowan Greene said the hotel had invested in a breathalyser in January after seeing one in another country pub.

"Anything that's going to help our patrons think about not driving is always worth it. It's like that saying 'you wouldn't let a mate drive drunk'.

"With the lowering of the alcohol limit you don't have to have much."

On the whole patrons were happy to be driven home in the courtesy car, if advised by staff to do so, she said.

"Our patrons are very good - when you say 'I'm going to drive you home', they don't bother checking the breathalyser."