The Kahn Law Firm's Blog » breathalyzer

In-Car Breathalyzer Device Won’t Help You Get Out Of a Houston DWI

Jennifer Kahn — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:00:37 +0000

Last month, the New York Times reported that Congress is likely to approve increased funding for an alcohol detection device program, that’s funded jointly by the federal administration and the auto industry. The program called the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety receives funding of $2 million a year, contributed jointly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a group of 13 of automakers. This funding will be increased to $12 million a year over a period of five years, totaling $60 million.

The program aims at the development of an in-car breathalyzer that automakers can install in future models of cars. The plan is not to make the breathalyzer mandatory in all cars in the future, but the program administrators and the NHTSA hope that consumers will be interested enough in having the device in their car, to pay extra for it.

As Houston DWI lawyers, we have mixed feelings about an in-car breathalyzer device. The idea is great, and if the device detects alcohol on you, you’re better off not driving anyway. However, there are no guarantees that your breathalyzer reading will match accurately with the reading on the breathalyzers that are used by Houston police officers. In other words, you don’t have any guarantee that you won’t measure at or above the .08 level if you’re pulled over by police. There is therefore no guarantee that that you won’t be charged with DWI, or have to face a Houston license suspension.

As Houston DWI attorneys, we are concerned at the high potential for misuse of these devices, by motorists who mistakenly believe that they are safe to drive when they may not be.

If you have been charged with a DWI or alcohol-related charge, contact the experienced DWI lawyers at the Kahn Law Firm today for a free consultation at 713-226-9900 or toll free at 1-877-226-9940

Texas DOT Uses Funny Super Bowl Ad to Prevent DWI-Houston DWI Lawyers

Jennifer Kahn — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:35:27 +0000

Texas DWI lawyers braced for Super Bowl Sunday, one of the biggest drinking days of the calendar. The Texas Department of Transportation too put to rest its traditional approach to preventing DUI crashes, and used humor to get young men – the traditional Super Bowl audience – to drive sober or not drive at all.

The DOT produced a TV spot that features a bunch of “high” men chanting “Will take a cab or ride in a car, with a friend who’s S-O-B-E-R”. It’s a different approach to the typical DWI public service announcement spots that show victims of drunk driving crashes. The Texas DOT conducted enough research to show that the traditional messages were not reaching men between the ages of 18 and 34, who are frequently arrested for DWI on Super Bowl night. In fact, these Super Bowl viewers tend to simply zone out during the PSA, ensuring that the message never reached those it was intended to.

Holiday DWI enforcement can sometimes seem draconian. Often, as Houston DWI lawyers see, these are hurriedly put together operations with breathalyzers that are malfunctioning, tests that are rushed through, and with more of a focus on reaching or crossing the previous year’s targets.

The best thing would be for you to avoid drinking and driving. If you have any doubts about whether you are legally intoxicated, ask a friend to drive you home, or hire a cab.

If you have been charged with a DWI, intoxicated assault or intoxicated manslaughter, it is important that you contact an experienced DWI lawyer TODAY. You only have 15 days to request a hearing through DPS to save your drivers license. Contact the DWI lawyers at The Kahn Law Firm at 713-226-9900 for a free confidential consultation.

Texas DWI Lawyers Warn Against Trusting New DUI App Too Much

Jennifer Kahn — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:03:31 +0000

A new iPhone app designed to provide an estimate of a person’s blood alcohol content (or BAC) level is creating some buzz, but as Texas DWI lawyers, we worry that the app could lead to a false sense of security.

The app, developed by the Colorado Department of Transportation as part of its New Years DUI prevention efforts, is called R-U-Buzzed. It works by taking information like your weight and the number and type of drinks you have had, and then spitting out a BAC figure. That information also comes with a color coded message that informs you if you can drive home, or if you should absolutely hire a designated driver. R-U-Buzzed has proved very popular, and has been downloaded more than 40,000 times since it was released in December.

As Houston DWI lawyers, we have several problems with the app.

On the surface of it, this might seem just like what the bartender ordered – a system that allows you to calculate your own BAC level and warn you if you aren’t fit to drive. However, the information isn’t completely accurate. To its credit, R-U-Buzzed doesn’t claim to offer a precise figure of a person’s BAC level. There are a number of factors besides weight and drinks consumed that can impact intoxication BAC levels.
We also worry that persons, especially younger drivers, may see a message saying they’re sober and feel encouraged to drive. Remember, the app won’t help you if you fail a breathalyzer test and have to call a Houston DWI lawyer.
There could also be potential for misusing the app, like in a game of who can drink the most at the bar. Checking BAC levels could turn into a party game, which Texas DWI lawyers would not advise at all.

At the end of the day, this is likely a fun and well intentioned, but flawed system that we would not advise motorists to base their driving decisions on.

If you have been charged with DWI or a alcohol related charge, contact the criminal defense lawyers at The Kahn Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation at 713-226-9900 or toll free 1-877-226-9940.