Pennsylvania State Police Suspend Use of Breathalyzers Statewide
Pennsylvania State Police announced Wednesday January 30, 2012 that it was suspending the use of breath analyzers after an area judge had concerns about their accuracy. Spokesman Trooper Adam Reed told The Philadelphia Inquirer last week that the decision stems from a Dauphin County judge’s decision to throw out several DUI cases after learning that one manufacturer had omitted a state requirement to have a liquid solution tested by independent labs.
Reed said the case is being appealed, but as a precaution police will stop using the devices. Instead, he says, suspects will be taken to a police facility
or hospital for a blood-alcohol test.
Even during DUI checkpoints, he said, a phlebotomist is always on hand so officers aren’t running offenders back and forth to the hospital.
By REBECCA LeFEVER
Daily Record/Sunday News Updated: 02/03/2013 05:51:22 PM