Washington ? At highway checkpoints this Labor Day weekend, Colorado state police officers will be handing out tickets as well as devices drivers can use to measure their blood-alcohol content.

“We’re hoping we will give people an additional tool that will help make the decision not to drive after drinking,” said Capt. Jim Wolfinbarger of the Colorado State Patrol. “Traditionally, thousands of times a year, people are making poor decisions. If they’re fortunate, they’ll make it home. If they’re unfortunate, they’ll get arrested. If it’s a tragedy, they’ll kill somebody.”

Colorado State Patrol Capt. Jim Wolfinbarger holds a Guardian Angel Personal Alcohol Test, which authorities will be handing out Labor Day weekend in Colorado. The devices allow drivers to measure blood-alcohol content.

Federal statistics showed the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes rose from 17,380 in 2000 to 17,448 in 2001, the first increase in five years.

Police see the Guardian Angel Personal Alcohol Test they are distributing in Colorado as a weapon against drunken driving. It is among several products on the market that allow drivers to measure their blood-alcohol content and learn when they’re approaching the legal limit, 0.08 percent in most states.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has not taken a position on Guardian Angel. But MADD President Wendy Hamilton is concerned some people will feel they can have a few drinks and get behind the wheel as long as the device shows them below the legal limit.

“They’ll be under the legal level but they’re still going to be impaired,” she said. “They can still go out and injure or kill some people. That’s what we’re afraid of.”

The head of the National Commission Against Drunk Driving, a nonprofit advocacy group pushing for stronger anti-drunken driving laws, said the devices help motorists make intelligent decisions.

¢ www.guardianangel.com¢ www.madd.org

“When it comes to personal responsibility, ignorance is not the answer,” John Moulden said. “People need to understand what their personal blood-alcohol limits are and they need to have the information so they can at least make a responsible decision before they get impaired.”

The Guardian Angel device is a strip that is placed in the mouth for 10 seconds, then held to a “risk meter” that ranks alcohol content in saliva three ways lower, higher or highest, which means blood-alcohol content is 0.08 or above.

The product’s package urges people not to drink and drive, warns that even some alcohol can impair judgment and includes an 800 number for taxis.

A package of four strips is available for less than $2 at many convenience stores, drug stores and supermarkets.