The App that will save your life

A new smartphone app created by two former Israeli soldiers could soon be saving lives around the world.

Every day, around 30 people in North America die in drunk driving accidents. This number caught the attention of Jonathan (Yoni) Ofir and Ben Biron, friends who met in middle school in Israel and later joined the IDF together.

Alcohoot is a handheld breathalyzer test that lets you determine your own blood alcohol level and helps you get home safely.

It works via Bluetooth technology on your smartphone. After a user blows into the detecting device, it automatically opens the app and tells you if it’s safe for you to drive a car or if you should seek alternate transportation to get home.

Alcohoot also features other helpful options, such as using your location to identify nearby restaurants where you can stop and wait or grab a bite to eat. As well, the app gives you the option of calling a taxi or a friend to get a ride, and it features a “tired” mode that can help keep you awake at the wheel by making a loud horn noise every 30 seconds, although the app does suggest that instead of using this option, you should pull over and take a nap.

The matchbook-size breathalyzer device – which will be easy to carry around on a keychain – is currently in the development phase, but will soon be available at alcohoot.com, its creators say.

Hopefully it won’t cost too much, because it could be a real lifesaver.