Keychain aims to help drivers manage blood alcohol content

Posted on July 31, 2014 in Blood Alcohol Tests

So many factors can affect how quickly your blood alcohol content increases that it can be difficult to keep track of whether you are still below the limit. You may think that you have not consumed enough to put you at or over Arizona’s limit of 0.08 BAC, but how can you be sure? If you’re wrong, it could result in serious legal consequences. Evenif your driving does not appear to be impaired, if your BAC level is found to be too high, you could face a drunk driving charge and even risk losing your license.

In a bid to help drivers manage this problem, a personal alcohol testing device has been released by the company BACtrack. The keychain device, which is around the size of a lighter, also allows the user to text his or her BAC to friends. It is important to remember that these devices are strictly for personal use and carry no legal significance.

The keychain is not the only device of its kind. Other companies are marketing similar products, such as the Breathometer, which connects to an app on your smartphone.

Even with the guidance of such devices, it is important to remember that different people are affected in different ways by alcohol. Furthermore, breath tests are not always accurate, whether administered personally or by law enforcement personnel. If you are stopped on suspicion of drunk driving, you may be asked to submit to a number of tests to determineyour BAC.

If the results of these tests suggest you were driving under the influence, you could face fines, loss of your license or even jail time. However, you may be able to contest these charges, particularly if you feel the measurements were inaccurate, or that your arrest was not carried out according to the correct procedures. An attorney can advise you as towhether this is the case. Furthermore, he or she may be able to help you avoid conviction or at least minimize the legal repercussions you might face.

Source: Knau, “Key Chain Blood-Alcohol Testing May Make Quantified Drinking Easy,” Eliza Barclay, July 25, 2014