Are there DUI checkpoints in Europe?

[hard rain]

Random breath testing was introduced in Australia in 1982. Its very common here and not just on fri - sat nights. They will set up on a stretch of road and flag you down. YOu can refuse to be tested but the punishment for this is the equivalent of highest range of alcohol impairment and you will loose your license and get a criminal record. Statistically every licensed driver is tested around every 2 years and for many this is there only contact with police.

I would just like to add that we also have random drug testing in Australia. It is much less common than DUI testing, but they can do a saliva test from cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA. They don't test for opiates as these are to commonly used in prescribed pain killers.

They often set up tests near large festivals (notably the Nimbin Mardi Grass).

 

[GDK]

wow, i just googled the narcometer and there is not a lot of information available.

how does it work? how long after you smoke can you safely drive?

this could be an answer to drugged driving in the USA if they accurately determine your intoxication level.

the 5ng bullshit in the washington law is just all wrong. a daily smoker could fail that shit a month after they quit smoking.

would love to hear more info if you have any.

Im Danish so i can answer this.

The meter itself works by, having a saliva saturated cotton swab inserted. The swab turns blue after soaking in the side of the mouth, as a indicator of sufficient saliva saturation. After insertion, the meter analyzes the saliva and detects illegal substances. Its supposed to be able to detect thc up to several days after use, meaning that daily users are screwed if pulled over for testing.

Stay Safe

 

[bean82]

would love to hear more info if you have any.

GDK is spot on! The problem with the test is that the result really differs, depending on how often you smoke, how much you inhale, and how much you smoke.
An everyday smoker like me would test possitive, even if I hadn't smoked since last night. The ironic thing is that I took my drivers license smoking the same amount of weed a day, as I do now. First they approve of your driving skills and give you a license. Then, suddenly, your driving is a hazard because of left over chems in your blood.
Personally I'm against DUI, and never drowe intoxicated, myself. But it's ridiculous that I risk losing my license and getting a hefty fine, when driving clean.

 

[lost in a sea]

that a police state
sick as shit
and should be unconstitutional just like border patrol check points.

to be pulled over and checked they are suppose to have reasonable suspicion of a crime.

yeah man and if your littering in Texas get ready to get your cavities searched

nice..

 

[GP73LPC]

thanks GDK and bean82.

sounds like a crock of shit. about par for our fucked up govts...

 

[Kush_Master]

that a police state
sick as shit
and should be unconstitutional just like border patrol check points.

to be pulled over and checked they are suppose to have reasonable suspicion of a crime.

Police can pull a "reasonable suspicion" out of thin air.

 

[Green Gooma]

Checkpoints were common when I was in Hungary, but that's been over ten years ago.

 

[longearedfriend]

bad idea to be drunk driving

imho

 

[stinkyigloo]

They introduced random breath testing in Ireland about 5 years ago. Every bank holiday weekend you will always see checkpoints on the road, so chances are you will get bagged. Throughout the year, you might just see a handful of random checkpoints. They also started doing early morning breath tests on drivers going to work, it would suprise you to learn how many people get caught out this way.

Before this came in, they had to have a reasonable suspicion that you were drink driving to breathalyse However, you could refuse the breath test at the side of the road, in which case they had to take you to the police station for a blood test. However this had to be performed by a doctor so in alot of cased by the time they got the doctor out of bed and to the station you were sober again!

 

[mwz]

Yeah, they've been in Australia for 30 years. They are getting worse in some states. In Sydney on weekends I can't drive at night from one side of the city to the other without getting breath-tested at least once.