Innovative Monitoring Network
Infographic Uncovers Scary Truth of Halloween Drinking
Infographic Uncovers Scary Truth of Halloween Drinking Halloween is one of the scariest nights of the year, but for reasons that have nothing to do with ghosts, goblins, or witches. This year more than 61 million adults plan to attend or host a Halloween party, and many of those spooky celebrations will include alcohol. Across the country on All Hallows’ Eve, too many people are mixing...
Canada: “Reasonable Suspicion” Not Needed for DUI Breath Tests
Starting next year, drivers in Canada could be required to take alcohol breath tests regardless of whether officers have a “reasonable suspicion” that they are driving under the influence of alcohol. Currently, during a DUI checkpoint or DUI stops, Canadian police ask questions and engage drivers in a conversation to look for signs of impairment. If those signs exist, they can ask a driver to...
Missouri lawmakers eliminate funding for DWI checkpoints
Last week Missouri’s legislature sent a bill to the governor’s desk that could make sobriety checkpoints in Missouri a thing of the past. House Bill 4 reduces annual state funding for DWI checkpoints from $20 million down to $1. The bill’s supporters say the reduction is in response to both a tight state budget and skepticism about the effectiveness of checkpoints to actually stop drunk drivers....
UK Sees Shift in Alcohol Crimes with Around-the-Clock Drinking
In 2005, the U.K. started allowing pubs to extend how late they can serve alcohol—including the possibility to serve 24 hours a day—and the country’s Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) says the change has led to an increase in alcohol-related crime during early morning hours. Calls to modernize alcohol service Prior to Britain’s updated licensing laws, 11 p.m. signaled last call in...
Uber faces steep fine for drunk driving complaints
For the past couple of years, Uber has touted data that suggests its ridesharing service reduces DUIs and drunk driving crashes in areas where Uber usage is high. In particular Uber has tapped into this claim by partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and marketing free rides on days known for heavy drinking, like St. Patrick’s Day. But the validity of those claims has been...
#CincodeDrinko, #DrinkodeMayo Trend on Social Media
Along with New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo has become one of the days of the year Americans most associate with drinking. A quick look at social media shows thousands of posts tagged with two of the holiday’s nicknames: Cinco de Drinko and Drinko de Mayo. But while many people are looking forward tequila-laced drinks and sombreros, law enforcement agencies are gearing up for...
WI Supreme Court Rules Against Drunk Drivers in Two Cases
Wisconsin has a reputation for leniency when it comes to drunk driving, but two recent decisions by the state’s highest court could make it easier to obtain evidence in drunk driving cases and prosecute impaired drivers. Warrantless blood draws OKed in some cases David Howes was unconscious and seriously injured after hitting a deer with his motorcycle in 2013. While investigating the crash, a...
“Place of Last Drink” Helps Identify DUI Hot Spots
An increasing number of counties and states have launched databases to track where DUI offenders downed their last drink before getting behind the wheel, and supporters say the information is helping communities reduce drunk driving. During an arrest or crash investigation, officers try to identify where a suspected drunk driver was served or bought their last drink. The information is then...
Infographic: St. Patty’s Day Drinking and DUIs
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and if you are planning to honor the day by wearing a bit o’ green or hoisting a pint you’re not alone. Surveys show that more than half of Americans over 18 plan to actively celebrate the holiday, and for many that includes downing an alcoholic beverage (green or otherwise). The trend of boozing it up in honor of St. Patrick’s Day...
Three States May Reduce BAC Limit for Drunk Driving
The current BAC limit for drivers in all 50 states is 0.08, but if some lawmakers get their way, that could soon change. Since 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called on states to reduce the legal BAC for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. The agency notes that research shows the risk of a fatal crash more than doubles by the time someone reaches the current drunk-driving limit....