New device to check blood alcohol content through the skin is in the works

Two companies have teamed up to work on creating a device that measures a motorist’s blood-alcohol content level through the skin. Takata, a Japanese company based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and its partner, TruTouch, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have already received a $2.25-million grant from the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) for the production of the device.

According to Kirk Morris, Takata’s vice president of business development, the device uses an infrared sensor to determine blood alcohol content level (BAC)and will be small enough to fit on a vehicle’s ignition button. Although the device is in the works, once finalized, it will not only help catch drunken drivers faster and more efficiently by reducing the time it takes to process the BAC level of the suspect from several seconds to 200 milliseconds, but it will also be able to function at extreme temperatures, from 40 below to 85 degrees. Takata’s goal is to lower the cost of the device to around $200.

“The goal is to take impaired drivers off the road,” said Morris. “Breathalyzers are invasive. You have to blow into a tube. If this technology is to be used on a daily basis, we want it to be non-invasive, not intrusive. … Drivers pushing a button wouldn’t even know it’s there.” According to the most recent data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one American dies due to a drunken driving incident every 48 minutes.

In a statement, NHTSA said that new device “is seen as a potential tool for keeping drunk drivers from being able to operate their car if their blood-alcohol concentration is at or above the legal intoxication limit (.08 or higher). The technology could be voluntarily installed as an option for new cars and signal a new frontier in the fight against drunk driving.”

Susan Ferguson, program director for Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, said she expects to see the BAC skin test to hit the market between eight to 10 years from now. Driving under the influence is a serious crime, punishable with penalties like losing one’s license, having to perform community service, and worst of all, going to jail. But as scary as a possible DUI conviction can be, there is a way to contest the charges. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, speak to a leading DWI lawyer right away to fight for your rights.

DUI attorneys do whatever it takes to ensure your case ends with the best possible outcome. They will investigate the incident thoroughly and if they find evidence that you were unfairly charged, they will see to it that your case is dismissed. If there is insufficient proof linking you to drunken driving, rest assured that your DUI attorney will not allow you to suffer punishment for a crime there is no evidence you committed. With a skilled team of DUI lawyers working on your behalf, your charges will either be significantly reduced or wiped out altogether. But hurry, the time period to contest a DUI is very small, so consult with an esteemed DWI attorney right away to make sure your case is resolved quickly and in your favor.

Tags: Albuquerque New Mexico, Alcohol Detection, Auburn Hills Michigan, Bac Level, Blood Alcohol Concentration, Blood Alcohol Content, Breathalyzers, Content Level, Daily Basis, Extreme Temperatures, Highway Traffic Safety, Infrared Sensor, Legal Intoxication, National Highway Traffic, National Highway Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Nhtsa, New Frontier, Susan Ferguson, Traffic Safety Administration

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