The regional Land Transportation Office said it procured alcohol breath analyzers that will determine a person’s blood alcohol level by screening his or her breath.
During the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Hotel early today, LTO-7 Regional Director Arnel Tancinco and LTO-7 Operations Chief Joel Maloloy-on showed to the media the black rectangular devices to be used by their personnel.
“These equipment (breath analyzers) will also help us in fully implementing the part of Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act which will start before the month ends,” Tancinco said.
Maloloy-on said the device has a mouthpiece which is disposable after use. George Ancajas of Bantay Radio volunteered for a sample test and drank a amount of liquor.
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Ancajas blew on the white mouthpiece attached to the device and in six seconds the device’s screen showed that he had 0.898 percent of alcohol concentration.
“Information will be saved and will be printed which will be used as evidence in reporting at police station,” Maloloy-on said.
Public utility vehicle (PUV) and motorcycle drivers who exceed the 0.00 percent level of blood alcohol concentration will be penalized while motorists are allowed a 0.05 blood alcohol level. But Maloloy-on said they still discourage drivers not to drink and drive.
He said traffic personnel have probable cause to file charges against those failing the breath analyzer test as well as indicators like overspeeding, weaving, lane stradding, sudden stops and swerving.
A driver will only submit himself/herself for breath analyzer tests once he failed the field sobriety tests.
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