Police officers in Missouri and around the country use portable breath-testing devices to find out if motorists are driving under the influence of alcohol, but they currently have no tools that can effectively identify marijuana impairment. Several companies are attempting to solve this problem by developing devices that measure THC levels using a breath sample, but this kind of equipment may not provide much in the way of reliable evidence even if it functions properly.
2 alleged drunk drivers hit 2 kids minutes apart
On May 19, two Missouri children were hit by alleged drunk drivers in separate incidents in Kansas City. Remarkably, the accidents occurred just four minutes and four miles from each other.
Conditions that may cause a breath test malfunction
People in Missouri who submit a breath test that shows they have a blood alcohol content that is above the legal limit might want to ask to be taken to the police station if they know they are not drunk. Most of the portable devices carried by law enforcement use fuel cell technology, and certain conditions may cause them to report a person as erroneously having a high blood alcohol content. Devices using infrared spectroscopy, which are usually available at the police station, can give a more accurate reading. People can also request a blood test.
Missouri man faces life in prison for driving drunk
Prosecutors in Missouri say that a 56-year-old Greene County man could be sent to prison for the rest of his life after being charged as habitual drunk driver. The Springfield resident was charged with his eighth DWI in August 2018. On April 22, a warrant was issued for the man's arrest after he had been designated as a habitual offender on April 19. He has been charged with a Class B felony that carries a custodial sentence of between 10 years and life. A records check reveals that he was convicted of his first DWI in 1983.
How to avoid drunk driving during spring break
Every year, there is an increased push throughout Missouri and the rest of America to combat drunk driving during spring break. Spring break usually means that more young people are vacationing and on the road. Drinking is often involved, and there is a high probability of someone getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Panel issues recommendations to make roads safer
A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offered a variety of ways to keep roads throughout Missouri and the rest of America safer. One of those suggestions was to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit to .05 percent from the current .08 percent. Other recommendations included raising alcohol taxes and making alcohol harder to get. This could be done by limiting where and when it could be sold to customers.
Understanding what happens during a person's first DUI arrest
For drivers in Missouri, getting their first DUI can be an overwhelming and terrifying experience. When a person is charged with a DUI, it means that they are being accused of driving while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Stress and culture may explain veteran drinking rates
Binge drinking and drunk driving is having a significant impact on veterans in Missouri and throughout the country. In 2016, the percentage of veterans who drove while under the influence of alcohol was 2.5 percent according to a study by the American Addiction Centers. That was a 60 percent increase from 2014, and male veterans were more likely to drive drunk than female veterans. California, Kentucky and Washington, D.C., were the three states where this was most likely to happen.
Missouri DUI laws regarding commercial vehicle drivers
Commercial vehicle drivers can be facing a different situation than other motorists when accused of drunk driving. This is due to the special rules Missouri DUI law has in place when it comes to commercial vehicles.
