Breathalizer test source code released and guess what?

[Varg]

Its garbage.

http://www.dwi.com/new-jersey/state-v-chun

[Okarn]

"The computer code in the 7110 is written on an Atari®-styled chip, utilizing fifteen to twenty year old technology in 1970s coding style."

Breathalyzer Pong?

[Aldoran]

If it ain't broke...

The true point is, does it work, is it reliable, and are the readings accurate enough to enforce the law. If a 1980s chip using 1970s code can do the job, so be it. My Atari 2600 still plays Defender and Donkey Kong, it was designed to play them and it still works. Sure, I could use a $5,000.00 PC to play defender, but why spend the money when I have the console in the closet?

Spurious logic in an attempt to better defend drunk drivers when they get caught, or worse, when they blow .19 after smashing through an intersection filled with preschoolers.

[Varg]

If it ain't broke...

The true point is, does it work, is it reliable, and are the readings accurate enough to enforce the law. If a 1980s chip using 1970s code can do the job, so be it. My Atari 2600 still plays Defender and Donkey Kong, it was designed to play them and it still works. Sure, I could use a $5,000.00 PC to play defender, but why spend the money when I have the console in the closet?

Spurious logic in an attempt to better defend drunk drivers when they get caught, or worse, when they blow .19 after smashing through an intersection filled with preschoolers.

NEGATIVE!

 Not defending drunk driving, but you blow a hair over you can loose your license, job, and everything with it. The system isnt broken for people that are 3 sheets to the wind, its broken for people that have 2 beers and the damn thing tells the cops there drunk. It can really fuck up your life to get a dui/dwi.

[Volk]

If it ain't broke...

The true point is, does it work, is it reliable, and are the readings accurate enough to enforce the law. If a 1980s chip using 1970s code can do the job, so be it. My Atari 2600 still plays Defender and Donkey Kong, it was designed to play them and it still works. Sure, I could use a $5,000.00 PC to play defender, but why spend the money when I have the console in the closet?

Spurious logic in an attempt to better defend drunk drivers when they get caught, or worse, when they blow .19 after smashing through an intersection filled with preschoolers.

NEGATIVE!

 Not defending drunk driving, but you blow a hair over you can loose your license, job, and everything with it. The system isnt broken for people that are 3 sheets to the wind, its broken for people that have 2 beers and the damn thing tells the cops there drunk. It can really fuck up your life to get a dui/dwi.

I disagree. As an adult, you should realize the dangers of driving after even one beer. Here in Germany there are different levels of punishment based on different levels of BAC, and on age. The Youngsters don't even get a chance, blow any %-age and you lose your license.

In America, however, drinking is a different beast than in Europe. It has a different attitude to it due to culture. There are also a lot more drunk driving issues in the States than in Europe.

Bottom line, if you had a beer (or shot, glass of wine, whatever) do the smart thing, if you can wrap your alcohol infused brain around it, and call a cab or use a DD that hasn't had anything to drink but soda and water.

This Safety Brief brought to you by SGT Bryan Koepl, US ARMY. Have a nice weekend.

[Arctic]

If it ain't broke...

The true point is, does it work, is it reliable, and are the readings accurate enough to enforce the law. If a 1980s chip using 1970s code can do the job, so be it. My Atari 2600 still plays Defender and Donkey Kong, it was designed to play them and it still works. Sure, I could use a $5,000.00 PC to play defender, but why spend the money when I have the console in the closet?

Spurious logic in an attempt to better defend drunk drivers when they get caught, or worse, when they blow .19 after smashing through an intersection filled with preschoolers.

NEGATIVE!

 Not defending drunk driving, but you blow a hair over you can loose your license, job, and everything with it. The system isnt broken for people that are 3 sheets to the wind, its broken for people that have 2 beers and the damn thing tells the cops there drunk. It can really fuck up your life to get a dui/dwi.

just dont drink and drive end of story. the guy who has 2 beers and drives home but got the DWI prob was 3 sheets to the wind three nights before that.  Just dont do it. The next person killed in a DWI crash could be someone you know.

[Varg]

You guys are not being real. If i go out and have pizza and drink 2 beers over an hours time, driving is not a problem. Have 5-6, then yea you shouldnt drive.

Again not defending drunk driving but if we are to be judged on damn machine between .08 and .09, thats source code has "3 out of 5 lines with errors" i think there is an issue. If you want to argue the point that nobody should be allowed to drive with any percentage then take that fight up, but dont allow the law to be inforced on a basis of faulty code and a pretence where the deference between 1 beer and 2 beers can ruine you.

[Unnormal]

Well it isn't just DUI's either I'm A certified BAT (Breath Alcohol Tech) and we do them for, post accident traumas, that happened on the job and it is vital that their 100% accurate. .02 your fine all your medical bills are paid for .03 and your fired and have a 20,000$ bill to pay for.

[Varg]

Never thought of that Unnormal, good point.

on ars now: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/buggy-breathalyzer-code-reflects-importance-of-source-review.ars

"The researchers also found that the device doesn't have any built-in sensors to determine if its physical state is consistent at any given time. When the code activates a motor or valve, the report says, it simply assumes that this function has been correctly performed and does not test to make sure. Some diagnostic routines in the code will silently return arbitrary default values upon failure, leading to potentially inaccurate breathalyzer test results. The software will also silently ignore errors in some cases unless there are a large number of consecutive failures."

[thrun]

Like my dad used to say, 'The day I can't do my job drunk is the day I turn in my badge and gun.'

I'm not saying you shouldn't be responisble, but people are killed by sober drivers all the time to.  Our DUI laws are a bit excesive. 

[Okarn]