• 28
  • March
    2011

The explosion of smartphones over the last few years has spawned the creation of countless applications or "apps" as they are more commonly known by iPhone or Android phone users. From keeping you up to date on the latest news, to allowing you to listen to police scanners from around the country to converting the phone to a flashlight, these downloadable apps perform a seemingly endless series of tasks. Interestingly, some of these apps even keep smartphone users up to date on the locations of DWI checkpoints, something that has not gone overlooked by the federal government.

In fact, four U.S. Senators - Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York), Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) - just last week sent a letter to executives from Apple, Research in Motion (RIM) and Google requesting that these types of drunk-driving applications be removed from their respective websites.

The letter does not name specific apps, but does outline those that "allow users to alert each other to DUI checkpoints in real time" as well as those that "contain a database of DUI checkpoints updated in real-time."

"We appreciate the technology that has allowed millions of Americans to have information at their fingertips, but giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," reads the letter. "We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration."

While some of these apps cost users a nominal fee to download, others are free. In addition, they also vary in their capabilities. Some enable users to pinpoint the precise location of DUI checkpoints, while others simply function as a sort of social media platform.

Thus far, only RIM has pledged to remove drunk-driving apps from their Blackberry App World website.

Stay tuned for developments from our Dallas criminal defense blog ...

Please remember, if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated and are thinking about trying to save money by using a public defender or handling the matter yourself, you may want to reconsider. An experienced DWI defense attorney will know the best way to handle your ALR hearing to protect your driver's license, as well as the strategies that the police and prosecutors are likely to use in their case.

Today's post was for informational purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice.

Related Resources:

U.S. Senators ask Apple to pull police-evasion apps (CNET News)

RIM says it will pull drunken-driving apps (CNET News)