State Police Suspend Use of Breathalyzers in DUI Stops
Pennsylvania State Police will now use blood tests for all DUI stops.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) have temporarily suspended the use of breathalyzers in DUI stops, meaning that DUI arrests may increase in areas patrolled by the PSP by detecting drugs in addition to alcohol, according to CBS3.
A Dauphin County Court ruling prompted the decision, where a judge threw out a DUI charge after the reliability of the breathalyzer test using the Intoxilyzer 5000, which is used throughout Pennsylvania, was questioned.
“Anytime we arrest someone for DUI now instead of taking them to get a breath sample, we’re now taking a blood sample and taking that off to the lab to be analyzed,” PSP Spokesman Adam Reed told CBS3.
According to George Geisler of the PA DUI Association, this action will mean safer roads, because blood tests will allow police to detect drivers who are under the influence of drugs in addition to alcohol.
For more information, read the CBS3 article here.
TiTimothy
8:11 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thats great. That means if you fail the sobriety test, which few can pass even when your sober, which also you can refuse to take, the police have the right to stick a needle in your arm. Where are my rights!
commonsense
8:51 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
@TiTimothy,uuuggghhh...if you have ever attempted the tests the police use for field sobriety while you are sober, you would know that you CAN successfully complete them...sounds like you are looking for excuses to continue driving while under the influence, oh by the way, if you refuse the blood test your license can be suspended for a year...oh and YES, the police should have the right to make sure our roads are safe from drunks or people high on drugs.... maybe you have to experience a significant loss or serious injury to one of your loved ones before you agree with how necessary this is...Americans are too hung up on "rights"; EVERYBODY is so busy worrying about their individual rights; what about the rights if innocent drivers to make it safely to their destination w/out being killed by a drunk/high driver???
Glenn
12:44 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Talking on a cell phone while driving, let alone texting has been proven to be much more dangerous than D.U.I. Insurance companys know this and they also know that tail gaiters and reckless drivers are the cause of most "accidents".
TiTimothy
12:59 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Commonsense - Fyi, you can refuse the sobriety test without penalty. I wasn't referring to the blood test or breath test. The reason one would refuse the sobriety test is because the police would have to establish probable cause other than the sobriety test to warrant a blood or breath test. Hence you have a much better chance of winning in court.