Wisconsin residents may be interested to know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 9,900 people are killed each year in drunk driving accidents. The Centers for Disease Control says that 88,000 people each year die from alcohol-related causes. However, a new patch that looks like a temporary tattoo could tell a driver if he or she is too impaired by alcohol to drive. The patch causes the skin to perspire and then monitors the electrical current flowing through that sweat.

Data is then sent to a smartphone so that the wearer can see if they are safe to drive. The patch is intended to be a less invasive and intimidating way for users to monitor their blood alcohol levels without the need for a breathalyzer or a blood test. According to the creators of this patch, the test takes less than 10 minutes to analyze blood alcohol levels.

Other sweat tests take about two to three hours to come up with a result. The results of the research into this product were published in ACS Sensors in July 2016. Research was conducted by engineers at the University of California, San Diego and was funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

If a driver is found to be operating under the influence of alcohol, he or she could face serious consequences. Therefore, drivers accused of such crimes may want to talk to an attorney. A lawyer may be able to create a defense that casts doubt on the physical evidence presented. It may also be possible to cast doubt on witness or police testimony in a drunk driving case.

Halloween is known to be one of the deadliest days of the year. Not because of ghost or zombie costumes, but because of the number of alcohol-related deaths that occur every year. In 2015, 52 percent of all the Halloween driving fatalities were a result of a drunk driver with a BAC or .08 or higher. Data also shows that in 2013, 26 percent of pedestrian deaths on the holiday occurred because of an intoxicated driver.

Law enforcement wants to do something about it

You can expect to find and increased amount of police officers patrolling the streets and highways of Wisconsin on a night like Halloween. Wisconsin has launched a campaign called “Zero in Wisconsin” in an effort to eliminate alcohol-related deaths in the state. Part of this campaign features a mobile app, “Drive Sober.” It’s a free application that offers interactive games to help determine if an individual shouldn’t drive. If you are out partying this holiday, please be careful. Authorities will be on the lookout.

Know your party plans before you start drinking

This year, make a plan before you start drinking. Designate a driver to bring you home, spend the night with a friend, take a cab or drink limited amounts. Be careful, however. Even if you are under the legal limit, you can still be charged with an OWI, Operating While Intoxicated, if an officer suspects alcohol is impairing your ability to drive.

First offense charges

First offense charges are highly dependent on your blood alcohol content (BAC) level. You can expect up to $665 in fines, $200 license reinstatement fee and six to nine months with a suspended license. If your BAC was above .15 percent you will also need an Ignition Interlock Device, a built-in breathalyzer for your car to measure your BAC before you are allowed to start the ignition.

Lawyers can help with reducing your charges and bargaining for a better sentence, it is important to work with professionals who have experience defending OWI cases. Depending on the BAC reading, in some cases, charges can be reduced. Experienced attorneys will offer the best legal advice and help you protect your future.

So, stay safe this year and have a happy Halloween, not a scary one.