Apps That Measure Alcohol Levels Can Keep You Safer on New Year's Eve
New apps can help keep your celebrating in check this New Year's. (Photo : Flickr Creative Commons)
Smartphones and alcohol normally don't mix well, but several new apps could help keep you safe this New Year's Eve.
A key piece of technology is the palm-sized Breathalyzer device, which can be plugged into a smartphone and breathed into to measure actual blood alcohol levels, reported.
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Around the size of a car key, the device attaches easily to a key ring and can monitor blood alcohol levels, graph drinking over time and even hail a cab.
One example is the Breathometer, which works with both iPhone and Android devices and goes for $49. USA TODAY also notes that it was a simple device to use.
The handheld BACtrack unit is another option, connecting through Bluetooth for instant alcohol level readings. Its models range $40 keychain devices to a $250 mobile Breathalyzer.
Apps can help partiers keep track of their drinking as well. For the Android, USA TODAY suggests AlcoDroid, Breathalyzer, Sober App and Drive Sober, while iPhone users can look at DrinkTracker, Last Call, Gauge and iDrink Smarter.
While the apps will never recommend any level of drinking and then driving, they should help celebrators keep their imbibing in check.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-related car accidents in 2010.
A blood alcohol level of around 0.08 percent spells trouble, but the legal limit may be even lower in the future.
The National Transportation Safety Board is hoping to lower the legal threshold to 0.05 percent.
If you've had too much, look to app StearClear to get you safely home. The app for Android or iOS calls a professional driver to get both you and your car home. Payment and tips are handled through information entered earlier, so just make sure to install the app and enter details before you head out for the night.
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