Video - Technology Can Stop Drunk Driving Says MADD

Editor's note: Always a topic of interest for those on the roadways, but a very timely report now that we're in the midst of graduation season, Memorial Day weekend approaching and soon the start of summer.

"Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. We allow people to make stupid decisions. We have the technology out there that could save them," says Chris Komschak, Program Manager at Virginia Mother's Against Drunk Driving in a recent WUSA TV-9 report.

According to the story, car companies are researching devices that would read your blood alcohol content from your breath, or on your finger pads.

"When you grab the steering wheel, it measures the blood alcohol content from your hands fingertips. They're also looking at putting devices in lap belts to measure your breath," said Komschak.

Twelve states require all those convicted of DWI's to have ignition innerlock devices which disable the car if the driver is drunk. MADD tried to get that same law passed in Virginia, but were unsuccessful. Only those who blew twice the limit have to use the device.

Watch the WUSA TV video below for more on this story.

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Results of Friday Night Sobriety Checkpoint in Sterling

A sobriety checkpoint held this past Friday, March 19, in Sterling saw one motorist charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The checkpoint was held on Sterling Boulevard at Davis Drive from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The checkpoint had 536 cars pass through with 10 motorists further screened. Seven motorists were charged with traffic-related infractions (1 DUI arrest, 2 driving without a license, 3 expired inspections, and 1 charged with defective equipment).

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD assisted with the checkpoint.

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Sheriff's Office Announces Results From Weekend Sobriety Checkpoint in Leesburg

A sobriety checkpoint held this past Saturday, November 7, in Leesburg, saw just one motorist charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The checkpoint was held on Riverside Parkway at McDowell Square. The checkpoint had 132 cars pass through with 10 motorists further screened. Six motorists were charged with traffic-related infractions.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. “If you drink and drive, we’re going to catch you,” Simpson warned.

The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD assisted with the checkpoint.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies Recognized

Two Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies were recognized recently for their efforts in combating impaired driving at the 18th Annual Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety Ceremony.

Deputy Jason Totaro and Deputy Eric Cote were among several law enforcement personnel from the region recognized at the ceremony organized by the Fairfax County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). The ceremony honors officers in their efforts in curbing drinking and driving.

Totaro has been with the agency for nearly three years and is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Division. In 2008 he removed 26 motorists from Loudoun’s roadways who were driving under the influence.

Cote has been with the agency for three years and is also assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Division. In 2008 he removed 23 motorists from Loudoun’s roadways who were driving under the influence of alcohol.

The ceremony was held last Friday morning at the West Park Hotel in Tyson’s Corner.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.