Ethics

Why Breathalyzer Companies Won't Release Code

By Ed Brayton

If you're wondering why so many companies that make breathalyzers refuse to release the source code, here's your answer. When a defendant was successful in getting the code from one such machine, the DRAEGER ALCOTEST 7110 MKIII-C, and have it tested, it was found to be rife with problems that lead to inaccurate results.

It is clear that, as submitted, the Alcotest software would not pass development standards and testing for the U.S. Government or Military. It would fail software standards for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA), as well as commercial standards used in devices for public safety. This means the Alcotest would not be considered for military applications such as analyzing breath alcohol for fighter pilots. If the FAA imposed mandatory alcohol testing for all commercial pilots, the Alcotest would be rejected based upon the FAA safety and software standards.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on May 19, 2009 (boomark / email).