Colorado drivers who want to avoid a charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) have an ally in a smartphone app that estimates blood alcohol content (BAC).
The Colorado Department of Transportation created the free “R-U-Buzzed” app to provide people who drink a simple way to see whether they ought to drive themselves home. While the app does not claim to be foolproof, it offers insight into a drinker’s likely BAC.
The app makes its calculation based on the:
- Consumer’s weight and gender
- Amount of time in which the alcohol was consumed
- Amount and type of alcohol consumed
When this information is entered, the app will produce an approximate BAC for the consumer. It also gives a warning if it believes the consumer should not drive. The R-U-Buzzed app is valuable for its ability to remind those who drink that they could be arrested for DUI even if they don’t feel intoxicated.
Avoiding a DUI / DWAI Conviction
A below-the-limit BAC is not a guarantee of unimpaired driving – indeed, you can be charged with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) at 0.05 BAC – but knowing your likely BAC can help you make the decision about whether to drive. Driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher in Colorado means you could be presumed to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
A conviction for DUI (also known as DWI) or DWAI in Colorado can have serious consequences, including license suspension, fines, court costs, jail time, community service, probation and the required installation of an ignition interlock device.
Drivers who are arrested for DUI should consult a Colorado drunk driving defense attorney. A DUI attorney will work to preserve and protect your rights.