AfterDawn: News

US senators target 'drink driving apps'

United States senators have cried foul over applications for smart phones that they say enable people to drive drunk with less chance of getting caught.

Senators Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Harry Reid of Nevada, Charles Schumer of New York and Tom Udail of New Mexico, all Democrats, signed a letter sent to Eric Schmidt, chief executive of Google, RiM's James Balsille and Scott Forstall, Apple executive in charge of software for iPhone.



"Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," the letter from the senators states. They have asked the firms to remove the apps from stores, saying they present a real threat to public safety.

The apps apparently allow users to alert each other to the locations of police stops. The letter does not name the apps specifically, but claim they have as many as 10 million users and offer databases of police checkpoints updated in real-time.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, around 10,000 people are killed each year in accidents that involve drunk drivers.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 24 Mar 2011 14:36

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• 12 comments

• 21Q

  I really don't think a drunk driver while have enough cognitive ability to use the app. This kinda thing is more for speeders looking to race imo
  

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  24.3.2011 21:22 #1

• KillerBug

  While I am strongly against drunk driving, I don't think that banning an informational application is constitutional.

  25.3.2011 00:49 #2

• DarthMopar

  @21Q....I think you hit the nail on the head. I know for a fact that lots of street racers use this app. A drunken idiot probably couldn't figure it out. Either way, this app isn't for honest, law abiding people, no matter how you look at it.
  

  25.3.2011 04:50 #3

• KillerBug

  How does avoiding a drunk driving checkpoint help a street racer? Most street racers are stone-cold sober.
  

  
  

  25.3.2011 04:54 #4

• xboxdvl2

  Originally posted by KillerBug: How does avoiding a drunk driving checkpoint help a street racer? Most street racers are stone-cold sober. it alerts people to where the cops are so they dont race down that road.
  

  married to my car and computer.both of them have problems.

  25.3.2011 10:18 #5

• ThePastor

  Honest, law abiding people... don't like to be hassled for no reason while out driving as much as the drunks.
  
  What would be next? No one is allowed to tweet about a checkpoint? It's against the law to call my buddy and tell him about a checkpoint?
  
  Banning these would be unconstitutional. Almost as unconstitutional as the actual checkpoints they alert you to. Hows that for irony?

  25.3.2011 12:52 #6

• llongtheD

  Originally posted by ThePastor: Honest, law abiding people... don't like to be hassled for no reason while out driving as much as the drunks.
  
  What would be next? No one is allowed to tweet about a checkpoint? It's against the law to call my buddy and tell him about a checkpoint?
  
  Banning these would be unconstitutional. Almost as unconstitutional as the actual checkpoints they alert you to. Hows that for irony? Couldn't agree more.
  

  If your fish seems sick, put it back in the water.

  25.3.2011 21:30 #7

• babysatan

  This is in no way illegal. What law, specifically, does it break? Sure, it may be considered bending the rules a bit, but is in no way illegal.
  That being said, I'm sure they'll find some way to ban it.
  /jaded
  

  babysatan will rip your soul...
  

  26.3.2011 14:53 #8

• alexeemo

  Originally posted by KillerBug: While I am strongly against drunk driving, I don't think that banning an informational application is constitutional. Somehow I wasn't surprised to see the infamous killerbug respond to this one. I usually agree with him anyways. That being said. How is this app any different than if I were to call everyone I know and ask them to spead the word.
  
  I hate drunk drivers. They need to go to jail for a very long time when caught and even longer if they get caught more than once. Life for those that injure others. However, there is still free speech and this is a free speech issue. Personally I like the speed trap apps.
  

  PSN ID alexeemo, Level 10, 484 Trophies and counting

  26.3.2011 16:06 #9

• xboxdvl2

  Originally posted by alexeemo: Originally posted by KillerBug: While I am strongly against drunk driving, I don't think that banning an informational application is constitutional. Somehow I wasn't surprised to see the infamous killerbug respond to this one. I usually agree with him anyways. That being said. How is this app any different than if I were to call everyone I know and ask them to spead the word.
  
  I hate drunk drivers. They need to go to jail for a very long time when caught and even longer if they get caught more than once. Life for those that injure others. However, there is still free speech and this is a free speech issue. Personally I like the speed trap apps. I dont care if the drivers drunk,stoned high on pills or what ever.As long as they are driving decently it doesn't affect me or anyone else.I see idiots on the road everyday some are P platers,some have children in the back of the car and im guessing not all those idiots on the road are drunk or stoned.
  
  As for cops they can be a nuisance.had an asian m8 driving me and a friend home.he got a phone call from his mum about 5mins earlier saying she needed him home.his car was registered,running perfectly fine,he was sober.they stopped him and breathalized him,had a look under the bonnet checked all the tyres.1km down the road he got stopped again.about 500 metres from his house he got stopped again.stopped 3times in 4kms when in a hurry not because he was doing anything wrong either.
  

  married to my car and computer.both of them have problems.

  27.3.2011 01:11 #10

• mscritsm

  Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by KillerBug: How does avoiding a drunk driving checkpoint help a street racer? Most street racers are stone-cold sober. it alerts people to where the cops are so they dont race down that road. If street racers don't drive down the road they're planning to race on at normal speeds first, then they're idiots. You should check for obstructions, road damage, debris, etc., first.
  
  That said, I've seen street racers racing around a blind curve kill people in my neighborhood. I guess they really do only care about getting caught, not about what damage they might cause other people.

  29.3.2011 11:22 #11

• DarthMopar

  Quote:If street racers don't drive down the road they're planning to race on at normal speeds first, then they're idiots.
  If they're street racing in the first place they're idiots. I nearly lost my best friend years ago when we were street racing. (Yes, I was an idiot too.)
  

  29.3.2011 15:11 #12