A person can get an OWI in Wisconsin if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level is .08 or greater at the time of driving. Knowing your BAC level is a difficult thing to track on your own. There have been countless cases where a person has been charged with drunk driving after only a couple beers. There are a number of elements that impact your BAC level including:
- Your gender
- Your weight & height
- Your age
- What type of alcohol you are drinking (beer, wine, liquor)
- How quickly you are consuming the alcohol
Keeping track of all this information can be difficult when you’re out hanging out with friends. Even the classic “1 drink per hour” rule can get you in trouble depending on your specific situation. However, there are numerous smartphone apps that can help you keep tabs on your blood alcohol level, and avoid a DWI charge. We went through some of the most popular apps out there to find the best. Below are four of the best BAC apps we found with each app’s features. *A quick note before we dive in – these apps can assist you in getting an idea of what your BAC level is, but they are by no means exact. So don’t rely on them 100% – even if the app says you are below the legal limit, a police breath, blood, or urine test may say differently.
Wisconsin Drive Sober App
Cost: Free Link: http://www.zeroinwisconsin.gov/index.html This app was created by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as part of their campaign to reduce drunk driving related deaths in the state. Features include a blood alcohol content estimator, a find a ride tool, and a “beer goggles” feature that uses your phone’s camera to emulate what your vision looks like under the influence.
Last Call
Cost: Free Link: http://www.avvo.com/ Created by Avvo.com, an online lawyer directory and legal information service, the Last Call app allows you to track your BAC based on drinks consumed, and also has a “call a taxi” feature. This app also provides a list of local OWI attorneys for you to contact if you do end up getting pulled over for drunk driving.
Idrinksmarter
Cost: $0.99 Link: https://itunes.apple.com/ Idrinksmarter offers a BAC calculator that takes into account your age, sex, weight, and height. It lets you set reminders for yourself to check in on your BAC level throughout the night, as well as a general chart that maps out what your blood alcohol level will be based on amount of drinks and hours elapsed.
Drinktracker
Cost: $1.99 Link: http://www.slappme.com/ This app allows you to create numerous profiles so you can track BAC levels for multiple people at once. This can be useful if you have a designated driver who may be drinking a bit too much. It also calculates your BAC level based on amount of drinks, age, gender, weight, and height (its BAC information is more detailed than the other apps as well). Finally, Drinktracker allows you to plot your course to the next bar or back home at the end of the night.
