It often seems like there’s a smartphone app for everything. From calculating tips to tailoring workout routines to making a flashlight out of your iPhone, apps are constantly in development to make your smartphone a veritable Swiss Army knife of utility. But did you know that there are even apps that help people avoid DUIs?
Apps like “Buzzed,” “Checkpointer” and “Tipsy” for iPhone, and “Checkpoint Wingman” and “Mr. D.U.I.” for Android range for free to $4.99. The primary functionality of these apps is to aggregate information about DUI checkpoints. Some also estimate the user’s BAC using information about their weight, and calculating based on how many drinks they consumed. Many of these apps are marketing mechanisms have been developed by DUI attorneys to facilitate connection between potential clients and their services.
The most powerful of these DUI apps is called “PhandomAlert,” a subscription service which also compiles information on speed traps, dangerous intersections, speed cameras, red light cameras, police stations, railroad crossings, tornado alerts, dangerous curves, speed bumps and severe weather. PhantomAlert can also be used on BlackBerry and GPS units from TomTom or Garmin.
Though useful for drivers, lawmakers have expressed concern about the intention of these apps. Last year, four democratic senators issued letters to Apple, Google and RIM requesting that the companies remove DUI checkpoint locating apps from distribution. These apps help drunk drivers evade law enforcement and put other drivers at risk, the senators argued. They assert that these apps serve to indirectly encourage risky behavior.
In response, app developers have argued that the apps in fact have the opposite effect of discouraging drunk driving. When people receive warnings about area checkpoints, developers have argued, they may reconsider drinking and driving. Further, they cite police department’s common practice of publicizing the times and locations of planned sobriety checkpoints.
Lawmakers are unconvinced. However, per the policies of Apple and Android app stores, it appears that the apps do not violate any stated regulations. And it seems that the Senators’ concern has given extra publicity to the apps – the download rates of DUI checkpoint apps have substantially increased since the issuance of their letters.
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