New York motorists may be interested to hear that several companies are releasing commercial breathalyzer devices for motorists. While many hope that these devices will keep drunk drivers off of the road, others fear that motorists may use them to avoid being arrested for DWI by drinking just enough to still be under the legal limit.
The increased interest in these commercial devices are a result of the National Transportation Safety Board’s proposal to reduce the legal definition of driving while intoxicated from .08 to .05. However, even a reading from one of these devices that report that a driver has a BAC of less than .08 does not mean that they are safe to drive. In most cases, drivers become impaired long before they reach the legal limit.
Regardless, the devices may be advantageous for those who use them appropriately. For example, BACtrack estimates an individual’s BAC over the next few hours, indicating when it may be safe to drive again. Alcohoot recommends local restaurants or taxi cab services to those who have had a little too much to drink.
Even parents are finding that these devices can be used to ensure that their children are not drinking. For those who do plan on drinking, however, it is recommended by the lobbyist for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers to choose a designated driver before the party begins.
Those who chose to drink and drive may face DWI penalties if they are caught and taken into custody. However, these individuals still have rights that need to be protected. An experienced New York attorney may be able to walk their clients through all of their legal options. Depending on the case, the attorney may help their client negotiate a plea bargain or fight the charges.
Source: New York Times, “Blood Alcohol Testers for Those Without Badges “, Matthew Wald, July 03, 2013
