Alcohol Screening or Screening Breath Test Devices (SBT)

Detecting Impaired Drivers: Alcohol Screening or Screening Breath Test Devices (SBT): "Alcohol Screening or Screening Breath Test Devices (SBT) The screening breath test device is designed to test the breath for the presence of alcohol, and requires the active participation of the motorist by blowing a sample of his/her breath into the device. The results of the test can be expressed in either a quantitative (digital) or qualitative (pass/warn/fail) reading. Screening breath test devices are typically used by police at the roadside to help determine if a motorist has consumed alcohol and, consequently, if probable cause for a DWI arrest exists. Digital screening test results are typically not introduced at trial to avoid confusion and comparison with the subsequent evidential breath or blood test results. SBT devices are also used in 'fitness for duty' applications for transportation vehicle operators; to test patients for sobriety in alcohol treatment facilities; and to test suspected underage drinkers."

Passive Alcohol Sensors (PAS)

Passive Alcohol Sensors (PAS): "Passive Alcohol Sensors (PAS) Passive breath test devices are used to detect alcohol in the air around a drinking driver's mouth or in the vicinity of an open container for the purpose of enforcing alcohol-impaired driving laws. PAS are termed 'passive' because they do not require the active participation of the individual to blow into the device. Passive breath test devices are only used by police to help determine if a motorist has consumed alcohol and, consequently, if probable cause for a DWI3 arrest exists. PAS are also used in 'fitness for duty' applications for transportation vehicle operators; to test patients for sobriety in alcohol treatment facilities; to test suspected underage drinkers and for other purposes. The PAS is a good screening device, and is ideal for use at sobriety checkpoints and during regular patrols because it:

* Helps police officers identify a higher proportion of drivers who have been driving drunk than they do without sensors.
* Helps officers to quickly dismiss drivers who have not been drinking.
* Does not interfere with privacy rights and its use is Constitutional--evaluating the ambient air around the driver does not constitute a search."

Breath Alcohol Test Calibration Devices

Calibration Devices: "Breath Alcohol Test Calibration Devices Breath alcohol test calibration devices are used to calibrate breath-alcohol test devices by providing a gaseous sample of known alcohol concentration as a reference test. Calibration devices are typically either a 'wet-bath' (alcohol-water solution) or dry gas (ethanol-inert gas mixture)."

Case Study: Tampa DUI Detecting Impaired Drivers

Detecting Impaired Drivers: Technology Users: Tampa, FL DUI Squads: "This NIDA-funded training and research project recognized that too few police officers are trained to detect drugged-impaired driving and innovative police training could be developed that integrates new drug detection technology with computer-assisted drug detection training. The Walsh Group in response to these needs, designed a self-paced, interactive computer training program. The curriculum provided instruction on:

* DUI and DUI detection legislation;
* Drugs and their behavioral effects;
* Standard Field Sobriety Tests; and
* On-site drug testing.

Tampa, Florida was chosen as a test site and the new, eight-hour curriculum was integrated into the Tampa Police DUI Squads' training activities.

Conclusions
The program, which is no longer active, concluded with four months of equipment use and evaluation. Approximately 265 DUI suspects were apprehended during the evaluation phase--86 percent or 230 individuals were male and 80 percent were between the ages of 18-44. Breath and urine samples were collected for all subjects and 86 percent were found to be legally drunk (with a .0170 BAC or more); and 31 percent tested positive for illegal drug use. Data indicated that the younger the suspects, the more likely they were to use drugs (98 percent were found with marijuana and cocaine in their samples)."

DUI Tampa Attorney

SPECIAL ALERT!! Operation 3D DUI Checkpoints

Operation 3D

October 15th , 2005/Wolfpack 2200 hrs. 0400 hrs. 56th St. & Hillsborough Ave.

Friday, October 21st , 2005 Low-Man Check Point 2200 hrs. 0500 hrs. 2 – CHECKPOINT LOCATIONS USF Area - 50th St. & Holly and Temple Terrace Area - 56th St. & Fowler BAT Unit and remote booking transport provided at USF Campus

Saturday, October 29th ,2005/Wolfpack 2200 hrs. 0500 hrs. Ybor City BAT Unit and remote booking transport provided at Adamo Dr. & 21st St.

Tampa DUI Checkpoints and Wolfpacks

Hillsborough County Sheriff and the Florida Highway Patrol

Operation 3D is a public awareness plan that is designed to enhance the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office ability to promote problems commonly associated with motorists who drink and drive. It will serve to encourage voluntary compliance of existing traffic laws by motorists.

DUI Fine Schedule DUI Tampa

Florida Driver License Information: "Fine Schedule s. 316.193(2)(a)-(b), F.S.

First Conviction: Not less than $250, or more than $500. With Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $500, or more than $1,000.

Second Conviction: Not less than $500, or more than $1,000. With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000.

Third Conviction More than 10 years: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,500. With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $2,000.

Third Conviction Within 10 years: Not more than $5,000. With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle. Not less than $2,000.

Fourth or Subsequent Conviction: Not less than $1,000. With BAL of .20 or higher or minor in the vehicle. Not less than $2,000.

Florida Licensed DUI Programs - Tampa Attorney

The Bureau of Driver Education and DUI Programs provides the oversight for 26 licensed programs. The Bureau administers Rule 15A-10, F.A.C., including instructor certification and training, investigating complaints, processing client appeals, conducting site visits, maintaining quality assurance, coordinating trust fund, and evaluating programs' effectiveness.

The DUI programs are private and professional non-profit organizations that are required to provide education, a psychosocial evaluation and treatment referral services to DUI offenders to satisfy judicial and driver licensing requirements.

Two educational services are offered - Level I for first-time offenders and Level II for multiple offenders.

The Level I course is to be a minimum of 12 hours of classroom instruction and incorporates didactic and interactive educational techniques.

The Level II course is a minimum of 21 hours of classroom time using primarily interactive educational techniques in a group setting. The average class size is not to exceed 15 students for Level II. This course focuses on the problems of the repeat offender and treatment readiness as the majority of students are referred to treatment. In no case is placement in Level II used in lieu of treatment.

National DUI Stats - DUI Tampa Attorney

Alcohol-related crash fatalities totaled 17,013 in 2003.

Alcohol-related occupant fatalities increased 3 percent in SUVs and 5 percent on motorcycles in 2003.

40 percent of crashes involving an alcohol-impaired or intoxicated driver or non-occupant resulted in an involved person being killed or injured.

Drivers with a BAC greater than .08 who were killed in crashes were 10 times as likely to have a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated.

About 275,000 people suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2003.

More than 1.5 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs each year. This represents one in every 130 drivers in the United States.

The percentage of alcohol-related crashes in 2003 represents an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 31 minutes and one alcohol-related injury every two minutes.

The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is three times as high at night as during the day. More than 53 percent of weekend evening crashes are alcohol related.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 2-33.

The highest intoxication rates for drivers in fatal crashes were recorded for drivers ages 21-24 (32 percent), followed by ages 25-34 (27 percent) and 35-44 (24 percent).

Alcohol-related crashes, injuries and fatalities cost society more than $45 billion in lost productivity, medical care, property damage and other direct expenditures annually