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Dui License
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The goals of the Comprehensive DUI Drivers License
Vehicle Impound Program are to:
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reduce the number of fatal/injury collisions,
alcohol related fatal/injury collisions, and fatal/injury
hit-and-run collisions each by 10 percent;
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reduce nighttime (9 p.m.-3 a.m.) fatal/injury
collisions by 10 percent;
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reduce the total number of hit-and-run
collisions by 10 percent;
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increase child restraint compliance by 10
percent;
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STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Equipment, promotional flyers, and handout materials
were identified and ordered prior to the beginning of checkpoint
operations. Problem areas, such as violator identification were quickly
appraised and solved by field fingerprinting and photographing
violators. The media was notified and press coverage was initially good.
Patrol deputies were exposed to a comprehensive vehicle impound training
program prior to working a DUI/Driver�s License checkpoint. Checkpoint
locations were selected based on recent collision and DUI frequency
rates.
During checkpoints, sworn deputies were used on an
overtime basis. Explorer Scouts and Reserve Deputies augmented the
staff. The Sheriff�s Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) personnel assisted with
Spanish language interpretation, traffic control, and transportation
duties. Cameras and fingerprinting were essential in violator
identification later in court. Impound fees collected as a result of the
20 checkpoint operations totaled $80,934, compared to the approximately
$60,000 spent to operate the program.
Sheriff�s Station Open House events exposed
thousands of visitors to traffic safety deputies and materials. A Sober
Graduation presentation at a local high school just prior to graduation
day impacted over 1,500 students. |
RESULTS
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Fatal/injury collisions were reduced from 47 to
30 (36 percent).
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Alcohol related fatal/injury collisions were
reduced from 27 to 9 (67 percent).
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Fatal/injury hit-and-run collisions were reduced
from 16 to 10 (38 percent).
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The total number of hit-and-run collisions went
from 111 to 89 (20 percent).
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Child seat compliance increased from 67 percent
to 82 percent.
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The number of impounded vehicles increased from
403 to 808 (100 percent).
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Eight educational presentations impacted over
9,100 people.
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Twenty checkpoints were conducted (exceeding the
goal of 18), resulting in 34 criminal arrests.
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$80,934 in impound fees were collected.
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Hit-and-run collisions accounted for over 25 percent of all collisions in La
Puente, California, compared to the statewide average of only 18 percent.
Sixty-five percent of the hit-and-run drivers who are apprehended are
intoxicated. Over half of them are uninsured, unlicensed, or have a suspended
license.
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The
Department of Public Safety’s concern about the hazards created by motorists
combining alcohol and other drugs is growing. This concern includes not only
drugs of abuse such as ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, PCP, and marijuana, but also
prescription medications and medications sold over the counter.
The Internet has increased access to illegal prescription drugs. Of
particular concern is the use of pain relievers (Tylenol/codeine,
Percodan, and Ultram), sleeping pills (Ambien, Sonata, barbiturates), or
anti-anxiety medication (Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Librium, Elavil). Even common
medications sold over the counter for colds, allergies or anxiety may affect a
driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle in ways so subtle that the operator
may not realize that he or she is affected. The effects of these types of drugs
could be exacerbated when they are taken with alcohol.
In 2000, approximately 6,000
blood and urine samples were analyzed for alcohol as a part of routine DUI
(Driving Under the Influence) screening. However, only 50 percent of the samples
were also analyzed for the presence of drugs. A complete drug analysis of all
blood and urine specimens submitted for DUI investigation is necessary to
implement a comprehensive prevention program. In order to obtain a clear,
complete profile of those arrested for DUI, the presence of common prescription
medications, over-the-counter medications, and drugs of abuse/controlled
substances must be identified.
GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
The DUI Screening
project’s goal is to implement blood and urine analysis in DUI screening to
create a profile of those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The project’s objectives are to:
- Identify drivers arrested for DUI who are also under the influence of
drugs and properly identify the drug(s) used;
- Conduct a demographic analysis of the resulting data and make it
available to traffic safety, enforcement, and state prosecutors; and
- Coordinate project data with the Connecticut Fatality Analysis Reporting
System (FARS) to provide a comprehensive representation of the incidence of
driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in fatal crashes.
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The DUI Screening
project created the following multi-step process for analyzing DUI samples for
the presence of drugs:
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Assign a laboratory case
number to each DUI sample the lab’s Evidence Control Officer receives.
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Analyze the sample(s) for
the presence of alcohol (Ethanol, Methanol or Acetone) using Gas
Chromatography (GC) via Head Space (HS) analysis.
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Create a duplicate test
sample to comply with state alcohol testing statutes.
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Submit duplicate sample
to the Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT)
to screen for controlled substances.
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Verify results.
Connecticut
statutes require confirmation of a positive test, therefore, positive EMIT
samples (positive
results) are sent to the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) for
confirmation. GC/MS, a highly specific screening method, allows each
individual compound in a sample to be identified, including controlled,
non-controlled, legal and illegal substances.
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Prepare and review report after testing is
complete. The laboratory retains the original report including all test
results, and sends a copy to the submitting law enforcement agency and the
tested subject.
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Enter
data from the report into the laboratory DUI Screening database.
RESULTS
As of January 2004, the
DUI Screening project is close to fully operational. Approximately 1600 test
results have been added into the DUI Screening database. The data added into the
database will include demographics such as town or county of origin, year of
birth of subject, date of incident, and screening summary. An outside consultant
is currently writing queries to make the database even more usable. The data
collected through this screening process will be made available to highway
safety officials, state prosecutors, and DUI enforcement personnel. The data
will be reviewed as highway safety plans are developed and will be used to
assist in concentrated project planning efforts. By analyzing all blood, urine,
and breath samples for the presence of alcohol or other drugs, the DUI
Screening project is helping to provide a more comprehensive picture of the
DUI issue and its offenders.
Drunk driving is the act of operating and/or driving a motor vehicle while
under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the degree that mental and motor
skills are impaired. It is illegal in all jurisdictions within the U.S. The
specific criminal offense is usually called driving under the influence [of
alcohol and/or other drugs] (DUI), and in some states driving while intoxicated
(DWI), operating while impaired (OWI), or operating a vehicle under the
influence (OVI). Such laws may also apply to boating or piloting aircraft.
In the United States the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
estimates that 17,941 people died in 2006 in "alcohol-related" collisions,
representing 41 percent of total traffic deaths in the US. Over 500,000 people
were injured in alcohol-related accidents in the US in 2003. NHTSA defines fatal
collisions as "alcohol-related" if they believe the driver, a passenger, or a
nonoccupant of the vehicle (such as a pedestrian or pedalcyclist) had a blood
alcohol content (BAC) of 0.01 or greater. NHTSA defines nonfatal collisions as
"alcohol-related" if the accident report indicates evidence of alcohol present.
NHTSA specifically notes that "alcohol-related" does not necessarily mean a
driver or nonoccupant was tested for alcohol and that the term does not indicate
a collision or fatality was caused by the presence of alcohol.[1] On average,
about 60 percent of the BAC values are missing or unknown. To analyze what they
believe is the complete data, statisticians simulate BAC information.[2]
Contents
All states in the U.S. designate a per se blood or breath alcohol level as the
threshold point for an independent criminal offense. A second criminal offense
of driving "under the influence" or "while impaired" is also usually charged in
most states, with a permissive presumption of guilt where the person's blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 percent or greater (units of milligrams per
deciliter, representing 8 g of alcohol in 100 deciliters of blood).[3] Some
states (e.g., Colorado) include a lesser charge, sometimes referred to as
driving while ability impaired (this may apply to individuals with a .05 percent
or above, but less than the .08 per se limit for the more serious charge.[3]
Prior to increased emphasis on drinking and driving in the 1980s, standards of
.10-.15 percent were in place. The legal limit for commercial drivers in the
U.S. is set at 0.04 percent.[3][citation needed] All states also observe a much
stricter standard for drivers under the age of 21, commonly of .01-.02; these
are often referred to as "Zero Tolerance" laws.[3] The same prohibition applies
to any other crewmembers on duty aboard the aircraft (flight attendants, etc.).
Some airlines impose additional restrictions, and many pilots also impose
stricter standards upon themselves. Commercial pilots found to be in violation
of regulations are typically fired or resign voluntarily, and they may lose
their pilot certificates and/or be subject to criminal prosecution under Federal
or State laws, effectively ending their careers.
Contact Information
- Telephone
- 555-0199
- FAX
- 555-0199
- Postal address
- 522 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065
- Electronic mail
- General Information:
info@duilicense
Sales:
Customer Support:
Webmaster: web@duilicense
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