Loaded and in Need of a Cab? There's an App for That

A new application for Apple's wildly popular iPhone helps drivers calculate their blood alcohol content based on a number of factors, including the person's weight and type of drinks drunk, then provides phone numbers for local taxi services if driving is not an option. It's a great idea (KKTV, Southern Colorado), but unfortunately it's not yet localized for Chicago drivers.

In other words, the app works just fine for anyone who's had a few drinks and is concerned about their ability to drive without getting busted. The Colorado-specific app just doesn't provide one-click access to Chicago taxis.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) created the "R-U-Buzzed? BAC Calculator" (iAppPhone) application for the iPhone in hopes of dissuading more people from driving after they've exceeded the 0.08 BAC limit. It's not extremely accurate and there is much debate over the non-scientific methods used to calculate BAC, but it's a great idea nonetheless.

Here's a video demonstration of the app posted on YouTube by CDOT:

The calculator defines "one drink" to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor -- which means a single Long Island Iced Tea or a similarly sweet and deceptive cocktail should be carefully considered. Also, many imported and craft beers contain more than 5 percent alcohol and are served in pint glasses (16 ounces) or even larger containers.

CDOT is aware of its relatively blunt instrument, at least compared to a breathalyzer, and provides the following disclaimer on the download site:

Disclaimer: This blood alcohol concentration (BAC) calculator is only an estimate and is not sufficiently accurate to be considered legal evidence. The calculations are averages. Individuals may vary in their personal alcohol tolerance. Food in the stomach, medications, health and psychological conditions are influencing factors. Many establishments that serve alcohol serve portions larger than the standard drink size. This BAC calculator has been provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

So in other words, showing your trusty iPhone to the judge and arguing that the state's app let you down is no defense.