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Implementation of Alcohol Interlocks to Control Drunk Driving – Can this be an effective move?

Posted on Oct 26, 2011

Drinking will not be replaced as a source of entertainment in the nation anytime soon and this is also the case with driving. This need not be a source of concern or a problem as long as both the things are not combined. One way to separate the two would be through the implementation of alcohol interlocks to control drunk driving. Some people are promoting this method of curbing drunken driving by claiming that this can be an effective move.

Alcohol Interlock Devices Have Generated a Movement

The utilization of Alcohol Interlock mechanisms, that stop a vehicle from being started if the operator has a particular level of alcohol in their blood stream system, has been doing well in some states. Because of this, a movement has spawned that promotes making these devices standard equipment on cars manufactured in the U.S.

Benefits of Alcohol Interlock Devices

Many anti-DUI advocacy groups along with a few legislators have joined this movement. In addition, one European automobile manufacture has already offered comparable apparatus as optional features on some of the models they produce. This has encouraged these groups by proving that the technology is viable. There is an array of objectives that can be accomplished with the implementation of alcohol interlocks. These include:

Incapacitation
Deterrence
Punishment
Rehabilitation

Recent Advances in Alcohol Interlocks by US Researchers

Recently vehicle manufactures in the United States have started working improving alcohol interlocks. The new technology allows the detection of alcohol from an operator’s skin pores. This is much less obtrusive than the current technology, which requires a driver to blow into a tube. This ease of use may make the public more acceptable to having alcohol interlocks in their cars.

Concerns of Privacy Advocates

Privacy Advocates oppose the use of alcohol interlocks to curb drunk driving based on freedom and confidentiality concerns. They fret that those who do not drink will also be forced to give samples, and they are concerned about the sharing of these samples with government agencies. There is also staunch opposition from the bar and restaurant industry associations for obvious reasons. They fear the effects these devices will have on their business and they do not share an enthusiasm to control drunk driving.

Alcohol Interlocks to Control Drunk Driving –Are People Ready for Them?

At present, the initiative is far from being implemented and it may just remain a dream of anti-DUI advocacy groups. Many citizens are not aware of the drive to make alcohol interlocks a standard safety feature on automobiles. As more people find out about these movements, we will be able to get a feel on whether the public is ready for such a move.

Are you concerned about any particular challenges associated with the use of alcohol interlocks on all vehicles? We would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Intoxicated Driver in Clinton Hits Patrol Car during DWI Stop

Posted on Oct 19, 2011

A resident from Clinton was taken into custody for drunk driving following a collision with a law enforcement vehicle belonging to the Oneida County Sheriff. The marked law enforcement vehicle had stopped another car on the side of the rode before Robert J. Rowland, a man in his mid-twenties, allegedly hit the cruiser.

The Driver Was Apparently Intoxicated

According to the deputies, Rowland was traveling southbound in the far right lane of an arterial road adjacent to Burr stone Road, when this incident took place. Rowland failed to apply proper care when moving to the right lane where the law enforcement unit was parked with flashing red emergency lights. He zeroed in on the unit due to his apparent inebriation.

Deputy was assisting on another DUI Stop

Deputy Jay Sorrentino, was the officer in charge of the law enforcement vehicle that took the brunt of Mr. Rowland’s incursion. The deputy was not in the unit at the time of the collision as he was assisting a second deputy with the arrest of a DUI suspect. Rowland decided that Deputy Sorrentino did not have enough to handle so he chose to increase the deputy’s paperwork load. There was no comment by the sheriff’s office on any possible over time caused by the incident. However, this does not rule out the possibility of collusion between the deputy and Mr. Rowland who also could not be reached for comment.

Air Bag Saves the Drunk Driver

Mr. Rowland’s car slammed into the left rear of the unit, knocking the helpless vehicle over a curb and into a railing that was placed on the side of the road to prevent vehicles from tumbling down an embankment. Rowland’s air bag seemed to be in working order and protected him from getting serious injuries. His vehicle came to a stop in the left-hand lane.

The Collision Caused a Road Closure

Thankfully nobody was hurt; however two cars were seriously damaged and were last seen being towed off from the area. Other drivers had to find another route home as the road had to be closed for over an hour.

Brand New State Law to Be Tested

Rowland will get a chance to hire a lawyer to test the constitutionality of the state’s new Ambrose-Searle’s “Move Over Act” that got implemented at the start of the year. DWI law, which he apparently violated, was made to prosecute drivers that endanger the lives of Deputies Officers, and Emergency workers as they do their jobs along the sides of the states roadways. If convicted of this violation and DUI, Mr. Rowland will face possible jail time where he will be able to sit and contemplate his next excursion, preferably without the aid of intoxicants.

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Winthrop Man with 8 DUI Arrests Lost Driving License for Life

Posted on Oct 12, 2011

A citizen from Winthrop with multiple previous convictions for DUI is now in custody without the possibility of bail, after an indictment this week on yet another DUI incident. The Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley informed the press that Joseph F. Limone, 60, after giving a fake name and failing various forms of drunken driving test in July was apprehended just off Revere Beach Parkway.

Limone Charged With Various Additional Charges

In the Chelsea District Court Mr. Limone was detained with no bond until a hearing at a later date. He was charged with:

OUI (operating under the influence) as a fifth or subsequent offense
Driving with a revoked license
Giving a fake name as an arrestee
Malicious destruction of property
Making a harsh or objectionable noise in the operation of a motor vehicle, and additional civil offenses

Details of Mr. Limone’s Drunken Driving Incident

All this allegedly took place a little after 5 in the afternoon on a Tuesday near Revere. Limone was apparently honking his horn excessively as he operated his 1988 Lincoln Town car. He was also allegedly observed swerving, tailgating and screaming.

Drunk Driving Test Failed

A state law enforcement officer who stopped him gave him several roadside drunk driving tests which he had difficulty passing. The trooper asked Limone to:

Recite the alphabet
Stand on one leg,
Walk a straight line, and
Follow the movement of a pen without moving his head

After not being able to accomplish any of these satisfactorily, he was arrested on the spot.

Drunk Driving Not Enough

When the officer got Limone to the station, he kicked out the right rear window of the unit he was transferred in. Officials reported that even with the window missing the unit still reeked of alcohol.

Previous Drunk Driving Convictions

Mr. Limone’s arrest records date back to the early 70s. His record contains numerous OUIs in various Massachusetts counties from Essex to Suffolk. His record includes convictions in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1996, 2001 and 2007.

That latter offense is currently on appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court.

State of Massachusetts Drunk Driving Laws

In the State of Massachusetts it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of .08% or more. In the state DUI is called an OUI (Operating Under the Influence). After your fifth drunk driving conviction in the State you will be fined between $2,000 and $50,000. You will also spend 2 to 5 years in prison and have your driver’s license suspended for life.

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