Detection, the first step in DWI/DUI enforcement:

Like so many problems in our society, there is no silver bullet to solve the problem of driving while impaired by alcohol. During the 90 years that DUI/DWI enforcement has been a significant part of a traffic officer's responsibility, it has been clear that one of the best clues to heavy drinking is the odor of alcohol. This sign appears on eight or nine out of ten of all impaired driving reports. While this is an important and generally accurate sign of heavy drinking, it is possible for many motorists to be impaired by alcohol without producing enough odor for the officer to be alerted to their condition.

Recently, the job has been made more difficult by the trend towards lowering the legal BrAC (breath alcohol concentration) limit from 0.10 gms% to 0.08 gms% and even lower for special groups such as the 0.04 gms% limit for commercial drivers and the zero tolerance (defined as a BrAC limit from 0.00 to 0.02) limits for drivers under 21.

Additionally, officers like everyone else get colds, have sinus conditions, must cope with cover-up odors such as car exhaust, breath mints and heavy perfume use, all of which blocks the ability of the officer to detect the presence of alcohol. The result is that officers can miss a large proportion of motorists with illegal blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) during the brief encounters at traffic stops or at sobriety checkpoints.

Fortunately, technology has advanced to a point where new product designs are available to quickly and reliably detect drivers with illegal BACs, and they can do this without requiring the driver to cooperate in a breath test. The most advanced design incorporates electro-chemical fuel cell technology in combination with a built-in high intensity flashlight. This unique product system, known as the P.A.S. III Passive Alcohol Sensor System (Nicknamed the "sniffer") provides the officer with a non-invasive alcohol detection system that enables the officer to check a breath alcohol level without the subject's active participation. The high intensity flashlight provides discreet testing and excellent safety and security for the officer at night when most DUI/DWI arrest activity takes place. Additionally, the one-hand
operation keeps the other hand completely free, if needed.

The P.A.S. instruments, utilizing the latest technology in passive alcohol screening, enables anyone to check for the presence of alcohol quickly and efficiently, without the subject's active participation. As the subject speaks, a small yet powerful pump inside the sensor draws a sample of the subject's exhaled breath through a fuel cell. Within seconds, the presence and approximate amount of alcohol is registered on the easy-to-read, color-coded display.

Also, the P.A.S. instruments can detect alcohol in enclosed spaces such as vehicles, aircraft, trains and rooms. It can also be used to determine the role of alcohol in emergency management of unconscious individuals.