Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

View from around the state: Biomarkers show promise in DUI fight

By: Associated Press//December 5, 2014//

View from around the state: Biomarkers show promise in DUI fight

By: Associated Press//December 5, 2014//

Listen to this article

— From the Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 3

Wisconsin is wise to pursue improving technology — in cars and at treatment clinics — to fight its drunken driving scourge.

The Legislature should require every repeat DUI offender to install a device in his or her vehicle that prevents ignition if it detects alcohol on the offender’s breath. These “interlock” devices have significantly improved as deterrents.

State and local leaders also should continue to expand the use of “biomarker” testing for alcohol using the blood or fingernails of chronic DUI offenders. Unlike a simple urine test, which detects alcohol use within a few days, the biomarker analysis can flag alcohol use weeks after it is ingested.

This makes it harder for high-risk drivers in monitoring programs to game the system. It also gives them more reason to stop drinking, which courts often require. A positive test can trigger greater intervention by authorities, support groups and family.

The State Journal’s top story Monday, “State first to test alcohol biomarkers,” highlighted this positive trend. The article by Kate Golden of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism reported encouraging results from Dane, Waukesha and a handful of other Wisconsin counties that have been using biomarker analysis.

The technology looks for molecular evidence of heavy drinking. So far, it seems to be working at identifying and discouraging repeat drunken drivers, though more research is needed.

Pamela Bean, of Madison, who initiated and is evaluating biomarker testing in Wisconsin, said Tuesday she has looked at data on more than 400 drivers in Dane County. Her high-tech check of blood or fingernails has flagged about one-quarter of offenders as heavy drinkers — even though half of those had reported drinking no alcohol in 30 days.

Better information about offenders who are slipping back into bad habits will allow for more targeted attention. Ultimately, that should help keep more of the worst drunken drivers off the road until they prove they can stay sober.

Molecular testing is more expensive. A machine to analyze samples costs half a million dollars, according to Monday’s report. Yet many repeat DUI offenders have been willing to pay about $300 for three rounds of the more elaborate tests. If the process can deter more people from driving drunk and help them stay sober, it can save lives and reduce the cost of incarceration.

Looking for alcohol biomarkers in the worst offenders is only one part of a much larger solution to drunken driving. The same goes for ignition locks.

Wisconsin still needs to make the first DUI offense a misdemeanor crime, since first-offenders cause most of the fatal accidents related to alcohol. Wisconsin is the only state that doesn’t do that.

Wisconsin should allow police checkpoints on problem stretches of highway. A higher gas tax should pay for more and better alcohol treatment programs.

Let’s keep the drive going to stop DUI. Greater use of biomarker testing and ignition locks will help make Wisconsin roads safer.

Polls

Should Steven Avery be granted a new evidentiary hearing?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests