Did That Drink Put You Over the Limit?

Driving intoxicated is not only dangerous, but getting caught can come with a hefty price tag. In 2006, intoxicated drivers contributed to 32 percent of traffic fatalities, or 13,470 deaths. By taking some precautions, you can avoid a costly DUI and stay safe on the road.

A BAC of .08 percent is now considered legally intoxicated in all 50 states. If you're caught driving at or above this level, you'll get arrested and handed a heavy fine. But that's only the start. For years afterward you'll have to deal with increased insurance rates, legal bills, licensing fees and other court appointed expenses. After it's all said and done, costs go well into the five figures.

"You should never drink and drive, but thousands of people make the decision to do so every day. By taking some precautions and being responsible, you can help make the roadways safer and save yourself a lot of money," comments Keith Nothacker, founder and president of KHN Solutions, a company that makes alcohol testers.

Steps to avoiding a DUI:

1) Plan ahead -- If you plan to drink at a party or at a bar, make sure that you designate a sober person to drive you home. If there is no one available, use a taxi or plan to stay at the host's house overnight. The time spent staying overnight or money used to pay for a taxi is much less than if you get arrested for DUI.

2) Pace yourself -- Drink only several drinks throughout the evening so you don't get overly intoxicated. Try drinking a glass of water between each drink and eat plenty of food. Having just several strong drinks in the matter of an hour on an empty stomach can put you over .08 BAC.

3) Use a breathalyzer -- A personal breathalyzer helps encourage responsible drinking by providing an estimate of BAC. Testing yourself and fellow partygoers during the night is an excellent way to monitor everyone's BAC levels.

"New personal testers like the BACtrack breathalyzer help users make informed decisions about their blood alcohol content," comments Nothacker. "It is accepted in social gatherings as a source of entertainment and merrymaking through which a higher awareness of BAC safety is achieved."

Cleared by the FDA, the BACtrack estimates blood alcohol content without the use of a mouthpiece, so it is very sanitary. Users simply turn on the device, follow the indicator signals to blow into the target, and an advanced alcohol sensor algorithm estimates a person's BAC instantly.

"The BACtrack was designed to be small and stylish so people would willingly use it in public," says Nothacker. "We took that approach so people would find some entertainment value in having it. We can't make people choose not to drive after drinking, but we can provide them with useful information, and then hopefully they'll make the right decision."

Visit www.breathalyzer.net to purchase a BACtrack for $99.99. It's a small price to pay to keep you safe and avoid a costly DUI.

Copyright © 2008, ARAnet, Inc.