Detection of Alcohol-Impaired Drivers Using a Passive Alcohol Sensor

• NCJ Number: 102017
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 153-160
• Author(s): I S Jones; A K Lund
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The use of the passive alcohol sensor at roadside sobriety checkpoints increased detection rates for alcohol impairment and reduced the false positive rate according to a 1984 study by the Charlottesville Police Department (Virginia).

Abstract

Data were obtained at sobriety checkpoints for six weekends during October and November. The first two and the final weekend were control periods, during which the police followed normal checkpoint procedures -- officer observation of signs of driving impairment or intoxication. Drivers suspected of being impaired underwent further behavioral sobriety tests. Failure of these tests was followed by a voluntary preliminary breath alcohol test using an Alco-sensor II. On the other three weekends, procedures were augmented by use of the PAS immediately after stopping each driver. Without use of the PAS, officers detected 45 percent of the drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.10 or greater and 24 percent with levels between 0.05 and 0.099. Using the PAS, detections increased to 68 percent and 45 percent respectively. The proportion of false positives was reduced by a factor of two. 6 tables and 8 references.