One of the biggest issues for law enforcement these days is preventing people from drinking and driving. The reason for this is that cops can’t set up checkpoints everywhere and there is no guarantee that they will catch everyone at a bar who is thinking about getting behind the wheel of a car drunk. A new invention could change that however, because it will allow bars to monitor their patrons and know exactly when they have had enough and when to call them a cab for their own safety and others on the road. The new invention is called Alcohoot and it not only does a breathalyzer test on the spot, but it also comes up with numbers to cab services around the area to assist the bar in helping the patron arrive home safely.
How it works
Alcohoot is a system which plugs directly into your cellphone jack and can be used on the spot to determine the blood alcohol level of the person in question. The breathalyzer itself is police grade, which means that it has the reliability and dependability of some of the best breathalyzer testers on the market. The person simply blows into the device for fifteen to thirty seconds and it will not only tell them their blood alcohol levels, but also give a map and numbers to all the available cab services in their respective area. The best part about this invention is that it cost just under one hundred dollars and can be used with any smartphone. Alcohoot will help to give bars an inexpensive tool that not only helps them take care of and monitor their patrons accurately, but it also protects them from potentially losing their liquor license due to reports filed against them. Bars will finally be able to know exactly how much is too much and also make sure that a patron has sobered up before allowing them to drive home.
What this could mean for the future of bar ownership
Sometimes people don’t think clearly when they are under the influence and this is a great way of making sure that the proper services are used when necessary. Bars want to prevent violence and make sure that no one drinks to much and this is a great way to achieve both of those things. This device will allow bar owners to check patrons as they enter the bar and also determine when it is safe for a patron to drive home if a cab cannot be provided. Having one in your car was going to far, but I think this is a great way of getting at the problem and making sure that the bar itself can do all that is necessary to keep the roads free of those driving under the influence. You’re not going to get rid of the problem, but it’s a step in the right direct.
Is it really worth it?
I think it will be worth it for bar owners to purchase this device, because they will be able to build a reputation of looking out for their patrons and people going there can have the peace of mind knowing when they leave that they are doing nothing illegal. It makes it so it’s no longer a judgement call for a bar to determine how long was long enough before a patron has become sober. Additionally this invention makes it much easier for bars to provide assistance if needed in a way that doesn’t take up a lot of their time, saving them a lot of money down the road.
Sources Used:
http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-03/police-grade-booze-breathalyzer-plugs-your-phone-video