Flashlights that detect blood-alcohol levels.

[PCAddict]

The local police departments here have these new flashlights that can tell your blood alcohol level if the officer shines the light in your face. The ACLU is pissed about it. The readings are not admissible in court. The whole point of the thing is for an officer to see if there is probable cause to investigate further if it could be a DUI case.

MADD supplied the flashlights to the local departments as a gift. Anyone else heard about these things yet?

 

[Poontos]

Sign me up.

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

I think it is a good idea, it will tell if they need to pull out the blower majig.

 

[loup garou]

I wonder how the hell those work? Readings from them aren't admissable in court though are they? You always have the right to refuse a Breathalyzer test, but how can you refuse a light in your face?

 

[PCAddict]

That is the ACLU's gripe, werk. I expect there to be some legal challenges. I think it's a good idea, but I do have some concerns. They say that it can have false readings. Freshly applies hairspray, perfume, or cologne can cause it to read positive. After all, these three things contain alcohol. The way they explained it was that it gives the officer an indicator if he needs to administer field sobriety tests and/or dig out the breathalyzer. There seems to be a focus on using it as a tool to fight underage drinking.

I expect to get a look at one of these first-hand next week. I have a few friends who are cops, and all of them work for departments who are now using these flashlights.

 

[perry]

Yea, you can refuse a breathilizer, but you're going to jail if you do. Prolly get the same punishment if you had taken the breathilizer. It's called implied consent, and you gave your consent by getting a license.

 

[loup garou]

I'm all for stopping drunk drivers, but I think this is a little too much...AFAIK, the Breathalyzer works just fine, and I don't really see the need for these less-accurate and more easily false-positived means of testing. Of course, I don't know anything about these units except for what you've said, so take whatever I've said with a grain of salt. Got any links to more info?

 

[loup garou]

perry: Yeah, I know that's usually the case...but at least you get the illusion of a choice.

 

[etech]

A few links to study.


Flashlight screens for alchohol
The P.A.S. device draws in air for a nearly instantaneous sampling. When it is used to sample breath at about six to eight inches in front of the driver's mouth, detection of alcohol is reliable and accurate, he said.

PAS
e P.A.S.? III, unlike active hand-held breath analyzers, samples air in front of and around an individual just as a person may smell another's breath. The P.A.S.? III does not touch a person in any way. Further, there should be no question of a "trespass" or "intrusion" into the privacy of an individual. It is not an evidential test and its results should not be presented as such.

alcohol tech

breathanalyzer
Drinking and driving

 

[beer]

As a minor, I can refuse a breathalyzer as long as I am not driving. If I am at a party and it gets busted and we run from the cops, if they find me 30 minutes later but cannot prove that I was at the party, and I am on foot for instance, then I cannot be forced to give a breathalyzer result due to 4th amendment rights.

HOWEVER if I am driving, and I get pulled over, I have to give a breathlyzer as it was a term of agreement for your license.

 

[Pennstate]

Anyone that drives drunk is just goddamn stupid.

 

[beer]

I agree pennstate. I would never do that and if anyone know did, I would lay the smackdown to them.

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

This is used as a preliminary to a breathalyzer. First, they shine the light in your eyes, and if it gives them a 0 BAC, they wont make you blow through the tube

 

[beer]

I honestly don't see what the big deal is, assuming it is only used on drivers. You have to submit to a breathalyzer anyways, no matter what, who cares if they use a flashlight?

I do have problems if this is used against people who can refuse a breathalyzer, citing the 4th amendment, such as the example I gave above.

 

[BoberFett]

It's not like an officer can't smell alcohol on your breath. What's the difference whether they use a flashlight to determine a BAC rate, or just guess based on someone's raunchy breath?

Wouldn't the ACLU prefer this more accurate method than letting a cop's judgement get in the way?

 

[The Wildcard]

Wow, wonder where you can buy one, lol.

 

[Pennstate]

THis would be a good parenting tool But lets be honest. Anyone that is drunk while driving deserves to be pulled over.

 

[Ranger X]

I think this is great. They don't have to get out of their cars to test them for DUI.

 

[Aquaman]

I think its a great idea. This will allow the cops to weed out the drunks quicker and allow us sobber folks to get past the roadblocks. I remember one evening I had to go thru 3 roadblocks :|

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[purplehayes]

I am all for something that will bust the drunk drivers quicker. Hoorah!

PH