Posted on 03/12/2014 7:58:52 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
Feds To End Controversial Secret Alcohol Testing At Roadblocks
After drawing considerable ire from the public over a program that tested drivers for drug and alcohol use — the latter secretly and without their consent — federal transportation officials today said they will no longer surreptitiously collect breath samples from drivers at roadblocks.
The Associated Press reports that a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official said roadblock testers will now get motorists' permission before using a passive alcohol sensor, which previously gathered breath samples before drivers could consent to the study.
NHTSA has been conducting their National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers since the 1970s to monitor drug and alcohol use by drivers. But as Jalopnik and other outlets reported last month, federal contractors had lately taken to using passive sensors to secretly test drivers. After being forced into roadblock areas by police, many drivers complained they felt they had no choice but to take part in the study.
The AP says Acting NHTSA Administrator David Friedman announced the change at a House subcommittee hearing in Washington today.
Following a particularly controversial roadblock survey in the Dallas area last year, the program had come under intense scrutiny from civil liberties activists, police watchdog groups and ordinary citizens.
(Excerpt) Read more at jalopnik.com ...
They should end this stupid, intrusive program altogether.
But many states have implied consent laws, where you lose your license for a year if you refuse to take a blood or breath alcohol test, and thanks to MADD, the interpretation of what constitutes a legal test may include less than evidentiary tests.
So, just how voluntary will voluntary be? Especially if there is a LEO there from the State or local jurisdiction?
But the roadside anal cavity searches will continue. :-)
Barney Fwank is happy to hear that
Surprised none of the thugs got shot. I think they deserved at least that for following these stupid orders. Certainly they would also load citizens onto trains if ordered to and not a second thought.
I had a friend who lost his license for a year because he tested positive for alcohol at a roadblock.
iirc many flashlights have sniffers in them
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