Smartphones Are Getting Smarter

Picture yourself at your favorite bar. You’re surrounded by good friends, good food, and having a few drinks. Once you call it a night, you stumble out into the parking lot and search for you keys. You convince yourself that you’re not drunk, maybe a little buzzed but you can drive. But once you get on the road, you see the dreaded red and blue lights. You know you’re in deep trouble. If only you hadn’t tricked yourself into thinking you were OK to drive! How It Works/Does It Work? A new little device called the Breathometer might help you avoid a potential DUI or worse. The portable blood-alcohol content (BAC) device plugs into your iPhone or Android phone. Checking your BAC is now as easy as picking up your phone and the device only costs $20. Now that’s thinking smart! The Breathometer isn’t as accurate as the breathalyzers that police officers use. The reading can be off by a few points. This is in part because the sensor used is smaller and cheaper versus the professional breathalyzers. Those few points can make a difference. Looking Forward Although the Breathometer isn’t the cure all for alcoholism, it’s still a good tool to have. It can make you accountable for your drinking and your actions. Even if it does give you an inaccurate reading, you know how much you drank. If you’re honest with yourself, you know that you should call a cab instead of putting yourself and others at risk behind the wheel. Or better yet, start out with a designated driver or other plan before you take that first sip. What other things can we do to avoid drunk driving? Share your thoughts below or visit Stepping Stone Center’s Facebook page.