A new device helps police more quickly detect the presence of alcohol in drunk drivers. There are such devices in all 28 regional directorates in the country. The new evidence analyst reports definitively the presence of alcohol in the driver's body in minutes, and they will not have to wait for months for the results of a blood test, specifies Nova TV.
The new device has been fighting drunk drivers in Burgas for more than a month. Its feature allows drivers who have been tested by a field dragger to have a blood alcohol level of 1.2 and who do not agree with the result, to be re-tested. If they decide to avoid the blood samples, the drivers receive a voucher for testing with the analyst at the Regional Directorate of the Police.
„After the ticket is issued to the driver, he must report to us within 45 minutes of issuing the ticket, if he is on the territory of Burgas. And within 120 minutes, if it is outside the territory of Burgas,” explained Doychin Yanev, head of the duty unit of the ODMVR-Burgas. The investigation is carried out by trained employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the duty unit of the police.
„Two consecutive samples are made one after the other. The sample is carried out in the same way as the on-site inspection itself. Many citizens have probably gone through this. By exhaling air through a tube that is connected to the device. Two consecutive samples and the device takes the average value of the two samples”, explained Commissioner Marin Dimitrov, head of the Security Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Burgas.
In addition to avoiding blood donation, the final results are known to both the driver and the police within minutes. “The test is performed within 30 minutes and it is immediately clear what the final result is. It is faster and more convenient for the citizen himself. The sample, which was given in a medical facility, should be sent to a laboratory and at a later stage the final result should come out, explained Commissioner Marin Dimitrov.
It is important to know, the offending driver has the right to choose between the two methods - donating blood and through the analyzer. “The evidence analyst has the quality of expertise. That is, within 30 minutes of the pre-trial proceedings, an expertise on the use of alcohol is available”, Doichin Yanev explained.
Many of the verified drivers have only heard of this research method, but are satisfied that if needed, their results will come out faster. The Traffic Police in the Burgas region report a decrease in the number of offenders sitting behind the wheel after using alcohol and drugs
„Since the beginning of the year, compared to the same period for 2023, there have been 15 fewer cases, and I would add that checks have increased by about 50%,” said Plamen Nikolov, head of the Road Police ODMVR – Burgas.
For the last nine months, a total of 359 pre-trial proceedings were initiated in Burgas for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There are more drugged drivers - 184. Drunk drivers are 175. Despite the decision of the Supreme Court, which declared the confiscation of cars illegal, a large part of the cars of street drivers are still in parking lots of the Ministry of the Interior.