Using modern technology to avoid drunk driving charges

Most of us have been there before. Imagine you are out on the town celebrating with friends at a restaurant or nightclub when someone in the group suggests that your group moves the party to another location. Everyone wants to keep the fun going but there's nothing fun about drunk driving accidents. This is true whether you are the victim or a defendant now looking at serious, life-altering criminal charges.

One company is hoping to integrate modern Breathalyzer technology with real-world scenarios in an effort to reduce drunk driving accidents. That company, LifeSafer, already manufactures ignition interlock devices. These are essentially Breathalyzers that are linked to a vehicle's ignition system and prevents drunk drivers from starting their vehicles after they've been drinking.

LifeSafer is now attempting to take their technology to the next level by integrating it with rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar. In fact, Uber is now working on technology that would allow a restaurant or bar patron to use their smartphone and an attachment to instantly connect to rideshare services after analyzing their breath.

LifeSafer even envisions a day when business establishments might offer the service as a routine component of paying your bill. For example, after enjoying a meal and some cocktails, your waiter or waitress would hand you your bill as well as a Breathometer capable of connecting you to a ride home.

This could be a game changer for many New York residents because many of our drunk driving laws are based on your level of impairment at the time of your arrest. Even one or two drinks can significantly increase the severity of the penalties you may face if convicted.

The reality is that no amount of technology can prevent every drunk driving arrest. If you are currently facing drunk driving charges, you should know that you have a right to retain an attorney to represent you through the process. A New York criminal defense DUI attorney can prove invaluable in challenging the validity of the charges -- particularly in instances where your blood alcohol concentration levels are borderline close to producing harsher penalties.