Rep. Israel to feds: Step up DWI research
Danielle Rella, of Smithtown, speaks at a news conference demanding the expedited use of funding for technology to curb drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel in Woodbury. Her brother, Kenneth Baribault, 31, of Nesconset was hit by a drunk driver. (July 2, 2012) Credit: Jacqueline Connor
The federal government is being asked by Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), to step up its research on ways to stop people who are intoxicated from driving cars.
"I'm asking Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to put his foot on the gas and get the funding for this program distributed as quickly as possible," Israel said at a news conference Monday in a squad room of the Second Precinct in Woodbury.
LaHood's office did not return calls.
Israel said one method being explored is an ignition screen that when touched would determine the amount of alcohol in the blood. If it were above a certain level, the device would not allow the car to start.
Tom McCoy, executive director of the Long Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, who also spoke, said a prototype for an alcohol measuring device in cars is expected in 2014.
Israel said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is set to work with leading automakers through the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety on this research, which "would be an important tool to keep past offenders from getting behind the wheel while drunk."
Israel said more than 2 million people who have three or more convictions for drunken driving are on the roads every day, "and only 2 percent of them get caught."
The funded research is called the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety and $10.5 million was appropriated for it Friday as part of the highway bill passed by Congress.
McCoy called it "the most important technology boost for autos since the air bag."
Also supporting the research was Danielle Rella, sister of Nassau police Officer Kenneth Baribault Jr., who worked out of the Second Precinct. Four years ago, he pulled over a suspected drunken driver on the Long Island Expressway before being hit by another drunken driver. Baribault is still recovering from extensive injuries. The driver, Rahiem Griffin, 31, of Shirley, was sentenced to seven years in prison for second-degree reckless assault, drunken driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and other charges.
'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem' Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.
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