Drinking and driving can be a deadly combination along Colorado roadways. In addition to the possibility of being involved in an accident, a driver who has been drinking is also at risk of being arrested and charged with DUI. For some individuals, just one drink may be too much, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is looking at new ways to inform individuals when they have had too much to legally drive.
Research indicates that approximately one-third of those charged with DUI have been previously charged with the same offense. In an effort to reign in this trend and let individuals know that they have had too much to drink, CDOT is providing mobile breathalyzers to residents in three Colorado counties. In order to qualify for the program, the individual must have already been convicted of a DUI and live in one of the three counties.
Using the mobile breathalyzer, the individual breathes into the device that is connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth technology. The device will then notify the individual if he or she is over the legal limit to drive. Then, in an effort to keep individuals in this position from drinking and driving, the smartphone app will order Uber transportation for the individual.
Drinking and driving can have serious repercussions for all of those involved. Many law enforcement agencies use breathalyzers, along with a variety of other methods, to determine if an individual should be charged with DUI. This device is one more step in Colorado’s fight to prevent tragedy from occurring.
Source: 9news.com, “CDOT is giving away breathalyzers to help you avoid a DUI (with strings attached),” Andrew Sorensen, July 19, 2017