Governor Rell: Federal $$ Will Help Buy 120 More Breathalyzers for State, Local Police

Governor Rell: Federal $$ Will Help Buy

120 More Breathalyzers for State, Local Police

Drunken driving, one of the deadliest and most senseless crimes, tragically claimed 111 lives on Connecticut roads in 2008. As part of the state’s ongoing efforts to keep intoxicated drivers off the road and save lives, Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is receiving federal funds to supply state and local police patrols with 120 more breathalyzers.

“Putting the brakes on drunken drivers before there are tragic consequences, before a family suffers a heartbreaking loss is a public safety priority,” Governor Rell said. “These resources will help law enforcement keep the motoring public safe and remove these dangerous drivers from our state and local roads.”

The breathalyzers will be purchased with $700,000 in federal funds that have been secured by the state Department of Transportation. 

The DOT will distribute the breathalyzers to state and local law enforcement, colleges, universities and mobile blood alcohol testing stations over the next few months. The equipment will assist police with sobriety checkpoints and special DUI patrols around the state.

The units will be distributed to 12 state police barracks, 103 police departments and six mobile testing stations, which are used at sobriety checkpoints.