We’ve talked about how to tell when you’re too impaired to drive by recognizing symptoms of alcohol impairment, but it’s not the most effective way to determine whether or not you’re ok to drive. Of course, you should always assume it’s safer to call a cab, as a recent study has shown that even buzzed driving is drunk driving. But the best way to know how impaired you are after having a drink with dinner is by assessing your blood alcohol content (BAC) using a breath test.
Of course, not everyone has a breathalyzer handy. But new breath test apps, such as the Breathometer and the BACtrack, allow users to test their blood alcohol level right on their smartphone. Simply plug in a small breathalyzer device, press start, and breathe over the sensor for a few seconds. The Breathometer, for example, will tell you your BAC level and how long before you’re sober. It even provides a list of nearby cab companies, making it easier to get a safe ride home. The BACtrack and the Breathometer were the first breath app tests on the market, but now, you can find all kinds of breath test apps for your smartphone.
While breath test apps won’t keep everyone from driving drunk, they can raise awareness of BAC levels and encourage drivers to make smarter decisions. And a list of nearby cab companies and phone numbers right at users’ fingertips might just influence them to call a cab, no matter what their BAC reads. Breath test apps can also be a great way to monitor your alcohol consumption. Doing so can keep you from binge drinking, which can lead to alcohol poisoning and other dangerous consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
At Car Breathalyzer Help, we think breath test apps are best used after you’ve had a drink or two with dinner or to monitor your alcohol consumption. If you’re going to happy hour or planning a night out, your safest bet is still to plan a safe ride home ahead of time. If you didn’t plan ahead, call a cab.