The Maryland Senate voted 27-19 Wednesday to increase the state's sales tax on alcohol from 6 percent to 9 percent over three years, raising millions that would benefit schools in Prince George's County and Baltimore and other programs.
Eleven Republicans and eight Democrats voted against the bill. The measure now goes to the House of Delegates.
Democratic supporters of the bill said the schools need the money.
Sen. Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore, recalled his experience as a teacher in Baltimore, when he carried a pair of scissors in his pocket for six months to open the door of his classroom, which did not have a door knob. He also said he only had 22 history text books for 198 ninth-grade students. And his wife, who taught in a classroom next door, had a broken window in her classroom for six months.
"This is the richest country in the world," Ferguson said. "We live in one of the richest states in this country, and we have windows hanging out of buildings. ... This is unacceptable, but it costs money to fix it."
Opponents said the tax would hurt businesses.
"Alcohol is an ingredient," said Sen. Jim Mathias, a Democrat who represents three counties on the Eastern Shore who voted against the bill. "It's an ingredient in the bar and restaurant/hospitality industry, and it would be like imposing another tax on any ingredient on any industry throughout out state, whether it would be paper in our offices or whatever."
Analysts estimate the increase would raise about $29 million in the next fiscal year. It would raise $58 million in the following year and $85 million in the third year.
The measure would steer $9 million more in education funding to Prince George's County and $12 million to Baltimore. Supporters say the extra money is a one-time adjustment to make up for shortfalls under state funding formulas. But critics questioned why those systems should reap so much from a statewide tax.
The measure also allocated $5 million for the developmentally disabled in fiscal year 2012. The money increases to $10 million the following year and $15 million in fiscal year 2014.
The American Beverage Institute, which represents more than 130 Maryland restaurants, ran full-page advertisements in two Maryland newspapers criticizing the raising the tax at a time when the hospitality industry is still struggling from a sluggish economy.
"Maryland legislators should focus on supporting economic growth instead of further increasing taxes," said Sarah Longwell, the institute's managing director. "Raising hospitality taxes will send hundreds of Maryland residents straight to the unemployment line."
But the spokesman for a health care group who has been pushing for the alcohol tax increase cheered the vote.
"The Senate's historic action on this bill marks the first time in 40 years that a Maryland legislative chamber has approved an alcohol specific tax increase," said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care For All Coalition.
SOURCE
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Man killed by alleged drunk driver on trip to buy engagement ring
Friends and family are demanding justice after the death of 29-year-old David Laduzenski, killed during a trip to buy an engagement ring.
Laduzenski had returned to his hometown of West Springfield, Mass., to pick out a ring for his girlfriend, Eleanor Halgren. But while in the driveway of his friend’s home, he was struck and killed by a motorist allegedly driving drunk, MyFoxBoston.com reports.
Laduzenski, who was a mechanical engineer and had just purchased a house with Halgren, died Sunday after being on life support.
The couple was planning a wedding for next year.
Police have charged 35-year-old Daniel Leary with motor vehicle homicide and drug possession. They believe he had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and drugs in his car, MyFoxBoston.com reports.
Leary pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.
SOURCE
Laduzenski had returned to his hometown of West Springfield, Mass., to pick out a ring for his girlfriend, Eleanor Halgren. But while in the driveway of his friend’s home, he was struck and killed by a motorist allegedly driving drunk, MyFoxBoston.com reports.
Laduzenski, who was a mechanical engineer and had just purchased a house with Halgren, died Sunday after being on life support.
The couple was planning a wedding for next year.
Police have charged 35-year-old Daniel Leary with motor vehicle homicide and drug possession. They believe he had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and drugs in his car, MyFoxBoston.com reports.
Leary pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.
SOURCE
Gulfport police chief's stepdaughter struck, killed by alleged drunk driver
A Gulfport man faces a charge of DUI causing death following an accident Tuesday that killed Deanna Tucker, the stepdaughter of Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford.
Tucker, 29, was loading her young child into her car when she was struck by another car driven by 26-year-old Darryl Edward Blappert and pinned between the two vehicles, authorities said Wednesday.
Tucker died about 11 p.m. Tuesday following surgery at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said.
Blappert was originally charged with driving under the influence and taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, Papania said.
That charge was upgraded Wednesday morning to DUI causing death, Papania said.
Blappert's bail was set at $1 million, and he remained in the county jail Wednesday.
Tucker's son, about 4 years old, suffered minor injuries, officials said.
According to Deputy Chief Leonard Papania, Tucker, of Gulfport, was putting her child in a car seat at the Bridal and Formal Boutique lot at 1524 Pass Road.
Tucker was pinned to her Honda Accord when her car was hit at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday by a 2004 Mustang driven by Blappert, Papania said.
Blappert, of Gulfport, was driving in the westbound lane on Pass Road and left the street near 15th Avenue, Papania said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and the Biloxi Police crash re-creation team were assisting Gulfport Police in the investigation Wednesday, Papania said.
Blappert faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of DUI causing death.
"The Gulfport Police Department has a long history of proactive traffic enforcement," Papania said. "Annually, we set goals aimed at reducing crashes and crashes with injuries. The police department has made tremendous efforts regarding public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving.
"People must take personal responsibility for impairment driving prevention to truly ensure the safety of themselves and others. In tragedy like this, there are great complexities in healing and recovering, while the prevention is so very simple -- don't drink and drive."
SOURCE
Tucker, 29, was loading her young child into her car when she was struck by another car driven by 26-year-old Darryl Edward Blappert and pinned between the two vehicles, authorities said Wednesday.
Tucker died about 11 p.m. Tuesday following surgery at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said.
Blappert was originally charged with driving under the influence and taken to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, Papania said.
That charge was upgraded Wednesday morning to DUI causing death, Papania said.
Blappert's bail was set at $1 million, and he remained in the county jail Wednesday.
Tucker's son, about 4 years old, suffered minor injuries, officials said.
According to Deputy Chief Leonard Papania, Tucker, of Gulfport, was putting her child in a car seat at the Bridal and Formal Boutique lot at 1524 Pass Road.
Tucker was pinned to her Honda Accord when her car was hit at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday by a 2004 Mustang driven by Blappert, Papania said.
Blappert, of Gulfport, was driving in the westbound lane on Pass Road and left the street near 15th Avenue, Papania said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and the Biloxi Police crash re-creation team were assisting Gulfport Police in the investigation Wednesday, Papania said.
Blappert faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of DUI causing death.
"The Gulfport Police Department has a long history of proactive traffic enforcement," Papania said. "Annually, we set goals aimed at reducing crashes and crashes with injuries. The police department has made tremendous efforts regarding public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving.
"People must take personal responsibility for impairment driving prevention to truly ensure the safety of themselves and others. In tragedy like this, there are great complexities in healing and recovering, while the prevention is so very simple -- don't drink and drive."
SOURCE
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Alco-Buddy Product and Business Presentation
This is the Alco-Buddy Product and Business Presentation. Will break down how Alco-Buddy can help you succeed as a business owner.
For more information please visit: Alcobuddy.com
For more information please visit: Alcobuddy.com
Baytown mortician sues Aldine residents over alleged drunk driving accident
A Baytown mortician is suing after, he says, a drunk driver from Aldine caused an accident, totaling the customized Suburban he used to transport human remains.
James Harrison, doing business as Harrison Mortician Service, of Baytown, filed a lawsuit on March 28 in the Harris County District Court against Aldine residents Pedro Vasquez and Yolanda Torres, alleging negligence, gross negligence and negligent entrustment.
Harrison, a commercial embalmer and mortician, says that on Oct. 3, 2009, an intoxicated Vasquez caused a car accident, which totaled the customized Suburban he used to transport bio-hazardous cargo for his business. Harrison claims that because it was impossible to rent a vehicle customized to transport human remains, he was forced to turn away business, costing him $900 a day.
Harrison is seeking all the damages to which he is entitled and court costs. He is being represented in the case by Houston attorney R. Kyle Hawes.
SOURCE
James Harrison, doing business as Harrison Mortician Service, of Baytown, filed a lawsuit on March 28 in the Harris County District Court against Aldine residents Pedro Vasquez and Yolanda Torres, alleging negligence, gross negligence and negligent entrustment.
Harrison, a commercial embalmer and mortician, says that on Oct. 3, 2009, an intoxicated Vasquez caused a car accident, which totaled the customized Suburban he used to transport bio-hazardous cargo for his business. Harrison claims that because it was impossible to rent a vehicle customized to transport human remains, he was forced to turn away business, costing him $900 a day.
Harrison is seeking all the damages to which he is entitled and court costs. He is being represented in the case by Houston attorney R. Kyle Hawes.
SOURCE
'Glee's' Lea Michele's car accident: Hit by drunk drivers?
This is so not something to sing about.
"Glee" star Lea Michele was on her way home from work at 2 a.m. on Friday morning -- Rachel Berry puts in some seriously late nights -- when her vehicle was hit by another car, her rep confirms to Us. She was driving on Melrose Ave in Hollywood.
Michele pulled over and got out of the car. "Lea was hit and notified the police," says the rep. "She was not injured and is fine."
According to a source, several girls got out of the other car. "A couple of drunk girls hit her, got out of the car, giggled that she was famous, said something like 'are you drunk, too?' Then they drove off." Not cool. Michele jotted down their license plate number and told the authorities.
We're just glad no one was hurt! Also, car accidents have a tendency to be good luck for the "Glee" leading lady - she was in a particularly nasty one right before she auditioned for the role that's made her a household name.
SOURCE
"Glee" star Lea Michele was on her way home from work at 2 a.m. on Friday morning -- Rachel Berry puts in some seriously late nights -- when her vehicle was hit by another car, her rep confirms to Us. She was driving on Melrose Ave in Hollywood.
Michele pulled over and got out of the car. "Lea was hit and notified the police," says the rep. "She was not injured and is fine."
According to a source, several girls got out of the other car. "A couple of drunk girls hit her, got out of the car, giggled that she was famous, said something like 'are you drunk, too?' Then they drove off." Not cool. Michele jotted down their license plate number and told the authorities.
We're just glad no one was hurt! Also, car accidents have a tendency to be good luck for the "Glee" leading lady - she was in a particularly nasty one right before she auditioned for the role that's made her a household name.
SOURCE
As dangerous as drunk driving
WHITEMARSH — With the simulation of real obstacles and distractions testing student response time, about 60 youth from Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) recently participated in a teen driver safety simulation.
Project Ignition, sponsored by State Farm Insurance and birthed from the S.A.F.E. coalition, is a student-led campaign that teaches the importance of not texting while driving, a subject rampant in the media lately, as studies reveal the startling numbers of teenagers who have died from fatal crashes involving cell phones.
For about an hour, teenagers from PWHS were provided the opportunity to see, firsthand, the dangers of texting while driving with the use of a vehicle simulator. For students and adults present, the lesson was quickly learned that it only takes a few seconds for a motorist to lose control of his or her vehicle and suffer the consequences.
“This is a great way for teens to learn without putting them in real danger,” said Meg Kramer, founder of StreetSafe Driving Academy, the school that provided the simulator.
“It’s active learning that is so much more fun and effective. They otherwise are going to learn this when they are on the road.”
Kramer told The Times Herald the StreetSafe Driving Academy, based out of Bryn Mawr, is the only one of its kind in the country to have such a type of driving simulator.
“You want to be able to train them to anticipate the unexpected. This is a great way to do that. All kinds of things can happen on the simulator. Things will fall out of trucks or the car in front of you slams on its breaks. Our whole approach to driver training is very unique and different. If you think about it, it’s a skill they will rely on everyday of their lives.”
PWHS was among 26 other high schools from the U.S. and Canada selected to receive a $2,000 grant to implement Project Ignition this school year, as part of the existing S.A.F.E. Coalition between PWHS and Germantown Academy. But it was the police department that submitted the application on behalf of the school district.
According to a study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), only 28 percent of teenagers believe talking on a cell phone while driving makes a major difference in driving safety, while an overwhelming majority — 79 percent — recognize texting while driving is a dangerous proclivity.
“When that phone vibrates, we all, instinctively, have to get to it right away,” said Whitemarsh Police Department Sgt. Fran Wheatley, who helped organize the event. “The mission of this whole concept is to make the students, faculty and community understand we are all creatures of habit and we are trying to change some of our bad habits.”
SOURCE
Project Ignition, sponsored by State Farm Insurance and birthed from the S.A.F.E. coalition, is a student-led campaign that teaches the importance of not texting while driving, a subject rampant in the media lately, as studies reveal the startling numbers of teenagers who have died from fatal crashes involving cell phones.
For about an hour, teenagers from PWHS were provided the opportunity to see, firsthand, the dangers of texting while driving with the use of a vehicle simulator. For students and adults present, the lesson was quickly learned that it only takes a few seconds for a motorist to lose control of his or her vehicle and suffer the consequences.
“This is a great way for teens to learn without putting them in real danger,” said Meg Kramer, founder of StreetSafe Driving Academy, the school that provided the simulator.
“It’s active learning that is so much more fun and effective. They otherwise are going to learn this when they are on the road.”
Kramer told The Times Herald the StreetSafe Driving Academy, based out of Bryn Mawr, is the only one of its kind in the country to have such a type of driving simulator.
“You want to be able to train them to anticipate the unexpected. This is a great way to do that. All kinds of things can happen on the simulator. Things will fall out of trucks or the car in front of you slams on its breaks. Our whole approach to driver training is very unique and different. If you think about it, it’s a skill they will rely on everyday of their lives.”
PWHS was among 26 other high schools from the U.S. and Canada selected to receive a $2,000 grant to implement Project Ignition this school year, as part of the existing S.A.F.E. Coalition between PWHS and Germantown Academy. But it was the police department that submitted the application on behalf of the school district.
According to a study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), only 28 percent of teenagers believe talking on a cell phone while driving makes a major difference in driving safety, while an overwhelming majority — 79 percent — recognize texting while driving is a dangerous proclivity.
“When that phone vibrates, we all, instinctively, have to get to it right away,” said Whitemarsh Police Department Sgt. Fran Wheatley, who helped organize the event. “The mission of this whole concept is to make the students, faculty and community understand we are all creatures of habit and we are trying to change some of our bad habits.”
SOURCE
Mphela to continue playing despite drunk driving charges
Striker Katlego Mphela’s business manager on Tuesday said he will continue playing for Bafana Bafana despite facing drunk driving charges in August.
He was arrested in Sandton in the early hours of Monday morning. The soccer star scored Bafana Bafana’s only goal in their win against Egypt on Saturday evening.
Mphela’s agent Glyn Binkin said his football career will not stop.
“Obviously his football career resumes as normal,” he said. “He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and he had a couple of drinks when he was caught in the evening. But once again, he was well within the limits. The course of law will take its toll and we’ll see over the next couple of months what transpires.”
SOURCE
He was arrested in Sandton in the early hours of Monday morning. The soccer star scored Bafana Bafana’s only goal in their win against Egypt on Saturday evening.
Mphela’s agent Glyn Binkin said his football career will not stop.
“Obviously his football career resumes as normal,” he said. “He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and he had a couple of drinks when he was caught in the evening. But once again, he was well within the limits. The course of law will take its toll and we’ll see over the next couple of months what transpires.”
SOURCE
Charge: Driver caught drunk two weeks after DUI sentencing
A Kent man previously convicted of drunkenly running into a pedestrian has again been charged with drunk driving.
Seventeen days after he was sentenced in another drunk driving incident, Patrick Rigg, 45, was arrested leaving a Kent bar and found to be again drunk behind the wheel, King County prosecutors claimed in charging documents.
Writing the court, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim noted that Rigg was convicted of vehicular assault in 2002 after crashing into a pedestrian. He had also twice been convicted of drunk driving, including a July 2010 incident for which he was sentenced March 2.
"Given his unwillingness or inability to not become intoxicated and drive, he is a very grave danger to this community and given his history, he knows the dangers that he places on innocent citizens and yet still he continues to drive impaired," Freedheim told the court.
According to charging documents, a state trooper spotted Rigg leaving the Central Pub shortly after midnight on March 19. Believing Rigg to be impaired by alcohol, the trooper pulled him over and administered several field sobriety tests.
Prosecutors contend Rigg failed the tests, and a blood draw that showed his blood alcohol level to be .14, nearly double the legal limit.
"When asked if he believed his driving was affected by alcohol, the defendant answered by saying, 'I don't think I was that bad,'" Freedheim told the court.
Rigg has been charged with felony DUI. He remains jailed on $150,000 bail.
SOURCE
Seventeen days after he was sentenced in another drunk driving incident, Patrick Rigg, 45, was arrested leaving a Kent bar and found to be again drunk behind the wheel, King County prosecutors claimed in charging documents.
Writing the court, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim noted that Rigg was convicted of vehicular assault in 2002 after crashing into a pedestrian. He had also twice been convicted of drunk driving, including a July 2010 incident for which he was sentenced March 2.
"Given his unwillingness or inability to not become intoxicated and drive, he is a very grave danger to this community and given his history, he knows the dangers that he places on innocent citizens and yet still he continues to drive impaired," Freedheim told the court.
According to charging documents, a state trooper spotted Rigg leaving the Central Pub shortly after midnight on March 19. Believing Rigg to be impaired by alcohol, the trooper pulled him over and administered several field sobriety tests.
Prosecutors contend Rigg failed the tests, and a blood draw that showed his blood alcohol level to be .14, nearly double the legal limit.
"When asked if he believed his driving was affected by alcohol, the defendant answered by saying, 'I don't think I was that bad,'" Freedheim told the court.
Rigg has been charged with felony DUI. He remains jailed on $150,000 bail.
SOURCE
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What is BAC and how can it be affected?
Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration, abbreviated BAC, is the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. It is most commonly used as a measurement of intoxication for legal or medical purposes. The number of drinks consumed is often a poor measurement of blood alcohol content, largely because of variations in weight, sex and body fat, amongst other things. Since so many factors contribute to BAC, it’s impossible to accurately measure intoxication without a breathalyzer test.
Although the maximum legal BAC percentage obtained by a breathalyzer is 0.08% in all 50 states, it is still possible to be charged with a DUI if you are “impaired to the slightest degree.” Subtle impairments can be observed, even after only a few drinks have been consumed. For example, in the 0.03-0.05% range, behavior begins to be influenced. One may experience feelings of mild euphoria, a sense of well-being, relaxation, joyousness, talkativeness and decreased inhibition. This may be the desired effect of alcohol to some, but to others, the effects of alcohol on an individual can be greatly influenced depending on gender, weight, body composition, contents of the stomach and even the efficiency of the liver. Once a person’s BAC reaches 0.08% or higher, the undesired effects of alcohol begin to present themselves. For instance, one may begin to suffer from angriness, sadness, slurred speech and/or a poor sense of balance. Any BAC higher than 0.19% and a person is in danger of plunging into a stupor, finding it difficult to understand speech and even risking death from alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol is metabolized by the body at a rate of .015% BAC every hour. This estimates to about one beer, glass of wine or mixed drink per hour. Metabolization occurs as soon as alcohol is ingested, whereas excretion into urine begins after about 40 minutes. The more drinks consumed in an hour, the longer it takes to be removed from the body. Contrary to common belief, drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or exercising does not speed up the removal process. The only factor affecting the rate of removal in the average healthy person is the passage of time. But, metaboolization can also be compromised when alcohol is consumed in combination with certain medications such as antihistamines. Common cold and allergy medications can slow down the removal process by up to 3 times!
There are, however, ways to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Pacing your rate of consumption over a greater period of time and eating a meal before drinking will slow the rate of absorption and also decrease the hangover effect. Mixing alcohol with non-carbonated beverages also helps slow the absorption process. Fructose is the only substance known to increase the rate of absorption. 100g dose of fructose has been shown to increase alcohol metabolism by an average of 80%!
Although the effects of alcohol vary among people that measure the same BAC, the actual content of alcohol in the bloodstream can be objectively measured using a professional breathalyzer test and therefore the results are legally useful and difficult to fight in a court of law. All this can be avoided with the use of the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine. For a small fee, an intoxicated person can simply insert a straw into the device and blow. In return, the Alco-Buddy will quickly measure your approximate BAC, allowing you to determine whether it’s safe to get behind the wheel. It’s always smart to remember that even if your BAC measures below the legal limit, it’s never wise to operate a motor vehicle if you’ve been drinking. Always designate a driver or make arrangements for a taxi ride home. It will not only save your life, but also the lives of others.
Source of Article and more information can be found at Alcobuddy.com
Although the maximum legal BAC percentage obtained by a breathalyzer is 0.08% in all 50 states, it is still possible to be charged with a DUI if you are “impaired to the slightest degree.” Subtle impairments can be observed, even after only a few drinks have been consumed. For example, in the 0.03-0.05% range, behavior begins to be influenced. One may experience feelings of mild euphoria, a sense of well-being, relaxation, joyousness, talkativeness and decreased inhibition. This may be the desired effect of alcohol to some, but to others, the effects of alcohol on an individual can be greatly influenced depending on gender, weight, body composition, contents of the stomach and even the efficiency of the liver. Once a person’s BAC reaches 0.08% or higher, the undesired effects of alcohol begin to present themselves. For instance, one may begin to suffer from angriness, sadness, slurred speech and/or a poor sense of balance. Any BAC higher than 0.19% and a person is in danger of plunging into a stupor, finding it difficult to understand speech and even risking death from alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol is metabolized by the body at a rate of .015% BAC every hour. This estimates to about one beer, glass of wine or mixed drink per hour. Metabolization occurs as soon as alcohol is ingested, whereas excretion into urine begins after about 40 minutes. The more drinks consumed in an hour, the longer it takes to be removed from the body. Contrary to common belief, drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or exercising does not speed up the removal process. The only factor affecting the rate of removal in the average healthy person is the passage of time. But, metaboolization can also be compromised when alcohol is consumed in combination with certain medications such as antihistamines. Common cold and allergy medications can slow down the removal process by up to 3 times!
There are, however, ways to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Pacing your rate of consumption over a greater period of time and eating a meal before drinking will slow the rate of absorption and also decrease the hangover effect. Mixing alcohol with non-carbonated beverages also helps slow the absorption process. Fructose is the only substance known to increase the rate of absorption. 100g dose of fructose has been shown to increase alcohol metabolism by an average of 80%!
Although the effects of alcohol vary among people that measure the same BAC, the actual content of alcohol in the bloodstream can be objectively measured using a professional breathalyzer test and therefore the results are legally useful and difficult to fight in a court of law. All this can be avoided with the use of the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine. For a small fee, an intoxicated person can simply insert a straw into the device and blow. In return, the Alco-Buddy will quickly measure your approximate BAC, allowing you to determine whether it’s safe to get behind the wheel. It’s always smart to remember that even if your BAC measures below the legal limit, it’s never wise to operate a motor vehicle if you’ve been drinking. Always designate a driver or make arrangements for a taxi ride home. It will not only save your life, but also the lives of others.
Source of Article and more information can be found at Alcobuddy.com
Families outraged after accused drunk driver in fatal wreck posts bond
Two North Texas families say they are outraged after the man accused of driving drunk when he hit a motorcycle killing two was released on bond.
The wreck happened late Saturday night and killed 22-year-old Pedro Patzan-Lima and 21-year-old Kelly Portocarrero as they rode on a motorcycle near the George Bush Turnpike and Coit Road in Plano. According to police, the man behind the wheel of the car, 37-year old Murrell Muck, was drunk and ran a red light.
Just six days later, Muck was released from jail after posting a $25,000 bond.
"In this country, they both had a bright future ahead of them," said Sara's Ascension, Kelly's mother, through tears. "Kelly loved this country even though she was from Peru. That bright future has been shattered."
The families are angry Muck was released after posting bond.
"That's not fair," said Luis Emelio Patzan-Lima, Pedro's brother. "He killed two people and he's out and he can do that again. He can get drunk and everything and kill somebody else."
Both families are anxious for Muck to face justice. They said they are also worried about how they will make ends meet. Both Pedro and Kelly helped support their families.
The night of the wreck, the two were returning from a nightclub event that Kelly had helped promote. For her, it was one of three jobs.
SOURCE
The wreck happened late Saturday night and killed 22-year-old Pedro Patzan-Lima and 21-year-old Kelly Portocarrero as they rode on a motorcycle near the George Bush Turnpike and Coit Road in Plano. According to police, the man behind the wheel of the car, 37-year old Murrell Muck, was drunk and ran a red light.
Just six days later, Muck was released from jail after posting a $25,000 bond.
"In this country, they both had a bright future ahead of them," said Sara's Ascension, Kelly's mother, through tears. "Kelly loved this country even though she was from Peru. That bright future has been shattered."
The families are angry Muck was released after posting bond.
"That's not fair," said Luis Emelio Patzan-Lima, Pedro's brother. "He killed two people and he's out and he can do that again. He can get drunk and everything and kill somebody else."
Both families are anxious for Muck to face justice. They said they are also worried about how they will make ends meet. Both Pedro and Kelly helped support their families.
The night of the wreck, the two were returning from a nightclub event that Kelly had helped promote. For her, it was one of three jobs.
SOURCE
Smartphone app helps drunk drivers avoid police
More than 10,000 Americans die in drunk driving crashes every year. Now there are smartphone applications that could help drunk drivers avoid the law. Now lawmakers are fighting back, trying to get rid of the apps.
Mobile apps like Phantom Alert, Trapster and iRadar warn drivers of speed traps, red light cameras and D.U.I. checkpoints.
Some say drivers are using these apps to side-step the law and avoid speed traps and D.U.I. checkpoints. Others, like Colorado law enforcement don’t see it that way.
“We certainly make no secret to when we are going to do [checkpoints] and where we are doing to do them,” says Steve Davis, PIO for the Lakewood Police Department. “We never operate checkpoints secretively we want people to know we are out there doing this.”
Critics say these tactics are not stopping drunk drivers but instead giving them a way out.
“You shouldn`t be driving drunk. Why should you be protected to know where they are at?” says smartphone user, Erica Ruseck.
“You can look at your phone and say, oh we can`t go that way we gotta go this way,” adds driver, Mark Easter. “They are just avoiding the consequences."
A group of Senators sent a later to smartphone companies asking to ban the apps. Blackberry’s maker, Research In Motion agreed to pull the apps. Google and Apple haven’t responded.
Lakewood police say the apps aren’t the problem.
“There`s always going to be some way people are trying to circumvent the D.U.I. checkpoint and we probably miss some people,” says PIO Davis.
Both Research In Motion and Apple reportedly claim their apps are not designed to help drunk drivers avoid getting caught. Rather, they’re made to get drivers to think twice about drunk driving and remind them how easy it is to get caught.
SOURCE
Mobile apps like Phantom Alert, Trapster and iRadar warn drivers of speed traps, red light cameras and D.U.I. checkpoints.
Some say drivers are using these apps to side-step the law and avoid speed traps and D.U.I. checkpoints. Others, like Colorado law enforcement don’t see it that way.
“We certainly make no secret to when we are going to do [checkpoints] and where we are doing to do them,” says Steve Davis, PIO for the Lakewood Police Department. “We never operate checkpoints secretively we want people to know we are out there doing this.”
Critics say these tactics are not stopping drunk drivers but instead giving them a way out.
“You shouldn`t be driving drunk. Why should you be protected to know where they are at?” says smartphone user, Erica Ruseck.
“You can look at your phone and say, oh we can`t go that way we gotta go this way,” adds driver, Mark Easter. “They are just avoiding the consequences."
A group of Senators sent a later to smartphone companies asking to ban the apps. Blackberry’s maker, Research In Motion agreed to pull the apps. Google and Apple haven’t responded.
Lakewood police say the apps aren’t the problem.
“There`s always going to be some way people are trying to circumvent the D.U.I. checkpoint and we probably miss some people,” says PIO Davis.
Both Research In Motion and Apple reportedly claim their apps are not designed to help drunk drivers avoid getting caught. Rather, they’re made to get drivers to think twice about drunk driving and remind them how easy it is to get caught.
SOURCE
At Archie's high school, a talk about drinking
There's a MADD Cowboy on the loose at Riverdale High, but that's no reason to panic.
The cowboy in question is Jason Witten, tight end for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. And he's talking about the dangers of underage drinking as part of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving program that appeals not to just Archie, Jughead and the others, but to teenagers and parents in the real world, too.
"The whole idea here is prevention. To prevent kids from drinking," Victor Gorelick, president and editor-in-chief of Archie Comics, told The Associated Press. "But a lot of parents know that this can be a big problem with teenagers, yet they have problems talking to their kids."
So, in a bid to help bridge that gap, MADD contacted Archie Comics about PowerTalk 21, an April 21 national event that seeks to have parents talking to their children about underage drinking.
"One of the things that was discussed was the possibility of doing a story, involving Jason Witten," Gorelick said. "Riverdale is his first stop and that he's going to other schools, too."
And that's what transpires in "Archie Double Digest" No. 217, out this week in comic shops, which opens with prom around the corner and plans for a party with parents out of town.
"We've always tried to keep Archie up with the times," Gorelick said. "The story is not that long - only about eight pages, and it's entertaining, but it gets the message across at the same time."
That message is a frank and open talk about the perils of peer pressure and underage drinking, an issue that MADD CEO Kimberly Earle told AP was crucial in getting to teens and young adults.
"It's been a fantastic partnership and a fantastic way to get the word out," she said of PowerTalk 21, adding they were able to "reach a whole new audience."
SOURCE
The cowboy in question is Jason Witten, tight end for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. And he's talking about the dangers of underage drinking as part of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving program that appeals not to just Archie, Jughead and the others, but to teenagers and parents in the real world, too.
"The whole idea here is prevention. To prevent kids from drinking," Victor Gorelick, president and editor-in-chief of Archie Comics, told The Associated Press. "But a lot of parents know that this can be a big problem with teenagers, yet they have problems talking to their kids."
So, in a bid to help bridge that gap, MADD contacted Archie Comics about PowerTalk 21, an April 21 national event that seeks to have parents talking to their children about underage drinking.
"One of the things that was discussed was the possibility of doing a story, involving Jason Witten," Gorelick said. "Riverdale is his first stop and that he's going to other schools, too."
And that's what transpires in "Archie Double Digest" No. 217, out this week in comic shops, which opens with prom around the corner and plans for a party with parents out of town.
"We've always tried to keep Archie up with the times," Gorelick said. "The story is not that long - only about eight pages, and it's entertaining, but it gets the message across at the same time."
That message is a frank and open talk about the perils of peer pressure and underage drinking, an issue that MADD CEO Kimberly Earle told AP was crucial in getting to teens and young adults.
"It's been a fantastic partnership and a fantastic way to get the word out," she said of PowerTalk 21, adding they were able to "reach a whole new audience."
SOURCE
Beverly man held without bail after alleged drunk driving accidents
A Lynn District Court judge ordered a Beverly man held without bail yesterday after he was arraigned on charges of hitting three cars while under the influence of alcohol, injuring three people.
Mateusz Chruscicki, 34, pleaded not guilty to several charges stemming from his Wednesday night arrest, according to a statement from Steve O'Connell, a spokesman for Essex County District Attorney's office.
According to Essex County Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Wood, police received several 9-1-1 calls beginning at about 5:40 Wednesday evening that a red Ford 350 pickup truck hit several vehicles while driving southbound on Route 1, the statement said.
When police arrived on scene in Lynnfield, they found two victims in a gray Toyota Camry who suffered injuries from the crash, according to the statement.
After both victims were transferred to Lynn Union Hospital on backboards, the female passenger was released after treatment. The male, who suffered serious chest injuries, was transferred to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, the statement said.
Police then attended to a third victim across the Saugus line, who drove a Toyota Corolla that Chruscicki allegedly struck with enough force to slam him in the left lane's guard rail, spinning his car twice, the statement said. The male victim told police he would seek medical treatment on his own, according to the statement.
Chruscicki also allegedly hit a Chevy sedan, the statement said. The woman driving that car was not hurt, according to the statement.
Immediately after hitting the three cars, Chruscicki crashed his truck into a telephone pole, totaling the vehicle, the statement said. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where police arrested him at about 7 p.m., the statement said.
Police charged Chruscicki with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and a marked lane violation, the statement said.
Chruscicki is scheduled to return to court next Thursday for a dangerousness hearing, according to the statement.
SOURCE
Mateusz Chruscicki, 34, pleaded not guilty to several charges stemming from his Wednesday night arrest, according to a statement from Steve O'Connell, a spokesman for Essex County District Attorney's office.
According to Essex County Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Wood, police received several 9-1-1 calls beginning at about 5:40 Wednesday evening that a red Ford 350 pickup truck hit several vehicles while driving southbound on Route 1, the statement said.
When police arrived on scene in Lynnfield, they found two victims in a gray Toyota Camry who suffered injuries from the crash, according to the statement.
After both victims were transferred to Lynn Union Hospital on backboards, the female passenger was released after treatment. The male, who suffered serious chest injuries, was transferred to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, the statement said.
Police then attended to a third victim across the Saugus line, who drove a Toyota Corolla that Chruscicki allegedly struck with enough force to slam him in the left lane's guard rail, spinning his car twice, the statement said. The male victim told police he would seek medical treatment on his own, according to the statement.
Chruscicki also allegedly hit a Chevy sedan, the statement said. The woman driving that car was not hurt, according to the statement.
Immediately after hitting the three cars, Chruscicki crashed his truck into a telephone pole, totaling the vehicle, the statement said. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where police arrested him at about 7 p.m., the statement said.
Police charged Chruscicki with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and a marked lane violation, the statement said.
Chruscicki is scheduled to return to court next Thursday for a dangerousness hearing, according to the statement.
SOURCE
Police Catch 8 Drunk Drivers At Checkpoint
Bakersfield police officers caught eight people drunk driving last night during a checkpoint along California Avenue Friday night.
Bakersfield Police screened 1826 cars between 5 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.
Eleven drivers were asked to perform field sobriety tests, and eight of them were determine to be drunk behind the wheel. Three of those arrested had a prior DUI conviction, and police said one of the drivers was impaired by both alcohol and marijuana.
Officers also impounded 50 cars and caught 15 people driving with an invalid license. They report one woman was caught with three outstanding warrants, and 31-year-old Marco Mejia was arrested for possession of a loaded, concealed, stolen handgun.
Police said the DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint was in an effort to reduce the number of persons injured or killed each year in DUI related collisions and encourage people to assign a sober designated driver.
Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Police encourage the public help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.
SOURCE
Bakersfield Police screened 1826 cars between 5 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.
Eleven drivers were asked to perform field sobriety tests, and eight of them were determine to be drunk behind the wheel. Three of those arrested had a prior DUI conviction, and police said one of the drivers was impaired by both alcohol and marijuana.
Officers also impounded 50 cars and caught 15 people driving with an invalid license. They report one woman was caught with three outstanding warrants, and 31-year-old Marco Mejia was arrested for possession of a loaded, concealed, stolen handgun.
Police said the DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint was in an effort to reduce the number of persons injured or killed each year in DUI related collisions and encourage people to assign a sober designated driver.
Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Police encourage the public help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.
SOURCE
Male arrested for drunk driving, drug and inhalant abuse
An Alliance man is facing charges for drunk driving and abusing inhalants.
Police pulled over Timothy Stutler Friday morning for his third drunk driving arrest.
That's not all, he's also facing charges of abusing inhalants. Police believe he's bought over 300-cans of cleaning aerosol in the past year to get high! It's his fifth arrest for that.
Stutler is also facing drug charges. This, after police discovered he'd ingested 120-oxycodone pills in two days!
Alliance Police also tell 19 Action News that with all of those arrest, Stutler only served two days in jail.
SOURCE
Police pulled over Timothy Stutler Friday morning for his third drunk driving arrest.
That's not all, he's also facing charges of abusing inhalants. Police believe he's bought over 300-cans of cleaning aerosol in the past year to get high! It's his fifth arrest for that.
Stutler is also facing drug charges. This, after police discovered he'd ingested 120-oxycodone pills in two days!
Alliance Police also tell 19 Action News that with all of those arrest, Stutler only served two days in jail.
SOURCE
Kurt Angle Arrested for Being Drunk in a Car
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... highway patrol in Grand Forks found Angle sitting in his car in the median separating lanes. We're told Angle told cops he had hit an icy patch in the road. During the conversation, cops say they smelled alcohol on Angle's breath. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested.
Since cops didn't see Angle driving, he was arrested and later charged with being in control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated -- which basically means he was allegedly drunk behind the wheel but not actually driving.
SOURCE
Since cops didn't see Angle driving, he was arrested and later charged with being in control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated -- which basically means he was allegedly drunk behind the wheel but not actually driving.
SOURCE
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Alco-Buddy Appeals to Fireman and Police Officers
Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machines are highly praised amongst NYC Police and Fireman. This is because the use of the machine helps to reduce the amount of drunk drivers on the road every night. If every establishment had an Alco-Buddy installed on their walls, the roads would be a much safer place and it would minimize the amount of accidents that Police and Fireman are so accustomed to seeing today.
Police officers commend any tool that helps reduce drunk driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Although sobriety checkpoints reduce the number of DUI collisions, they can become costly due to the increase in DUI arrests. Using the Alco-Buddy to test one’s BAC (blood alcohol content) before getting behind the wheel will help reduce the amount of arrests and allow police to focus on more serious crimes that are being committed.
Kevin Kubler, a New York City Fireman for over 15 years, has seen his fair share of motor vehicle accidents caused by drinking and driving. Kevin has also run a vending machine business on the side for the last 15 years, ranging from candy machines to pay phones to ATM machines. “Everybody knows fireman all have a side job,” said Kevin. “I heard about Alco-Buddy one day when I was emptying and filling my ATMs.” Kevin researched Alco-Buddy online and purchased his first machine a few months ago. He quickly established that the Alco-buddy breathalyzer is his favorite vending machine. Kevin now owns 20 Alco-Buddy machines and the results have exceeded his expectations! He has about an 85% success rate at placing the machines and plans to increase the amount of vending machines he owns to between 50-100 machines within the next year. “We’re currently bringing in between $100-$200 a month, per machine, after our split with the bar owners,” boasts Kevin. “It’s an easy sell, as compared to other vending machines. You walk in with it...it’s lightweight, easy to install and easy to move around...unlike an ATM, which weight 400 lbs.” Even when a machine isn’t doing well in a certain location, it’s easy to remove the machine and find another bar to place it in.
Even in the rare event the Kevin experiences any glitches, he credits the President and CEO of Alco-Buddy, John Berlingieri, with personally helping him to work out the solutions. John’s acted as a great support system to Kevin who confesses that John is always very open to the ideas he’s presented to him based on his years of experience in vending.
All in all, Alco-Buddy is not only a great way for fireman and police to earn some extra cash on the side but it’s also rewarding for the bar owners, as well. Not only do the bar owners split a portion of the money collected by the machine, but they also benefit from patrons who ultimately buy more drinks from the bar only to return back to the machine to beat their “high score.” Of course, the owners and staff of the establishments where Alco-Buddy is installed always encourage patrons whose BAC is over the legal limit to find a designated driver who will help get them home safely.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Police officers commend any tool that helps reduce drunk driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Although sobriety checkpoints reduce the number of DUI collisions, they can become costly due to the increase in DUI arrests. Using the Alco-Buddy to test one’s BAC (blood alcohol content) before getting behind the wheel will help reduce the amount of arrests and allow police to focus on more serious crimes that are being committed.
Kevin Kubler, a New York City Fireman for over 15 years, has seen his fair share of motor vehicle accidents caused by drinking and driving. Kevin has also run a vending machine business on the side for the last 15 years, ranging from candy machines to pay phones to ATM machines. “Everybody knows fireman all have a side job,” said Kevin. “I heard about Alco-Buddy one day when I was emptying and filling my ATMs.” Kevin researched Alco-Buddy online and purchased his first machine a few months ago. He quickly established that the Alco-buddy breathalyzer is his favorite vending machine. Kevin now owns 20 Alco-Buddy machines and the results have exceeded his expectations! He has about an 85% success rate at placing the machines and plans to increase the amount of vending machines he owns to between 50-100 machines within the next year. “We’re currently bringing in between $100-$200 a month, per machine, after our split with the bar owners,” boasts Kevin. “It’s an easy sell, as compared to other vending machines. You walk in with it...it’s lightweight, easy to install and easy to move around...unlike an ATM, which weight 400 lbs.” Even when a machine isn’t doing well in a certain location, it’s easy to remove the machine and find another bar to place it in.
Even in the rare event the Kevin experiences any glitches, he credits the President and CEO of Alco-Buddy, John Berlingieri, with personally helping him to work out the solutions. John’s acted as a great support system to Kevin who confesses that John is always very open to the ideas he’s presented to him based on his years of experience in vending.
All in all, Alco-Buddy is not only a great way for fireman and police to earn some extra cash on the side but it’s also rewarding for the bar owners, as well. Not only do the bar owners split a portion of the money collected by the machine, but they also benefit from patrons who ultimately buy more drinks from the bar only to return back to the machine to beat their “high score.” Of course, the owners and staff of the establishments where Alco-Buddy is installed always encourage patrons whose BAC is over the legal limit to find a designated driver who will help get them home safely.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Alco-Buddy vending machines benefit everyone!
Have you ever gotten behind the wheel after a night of drinking and, upon arriving home, realized you have no recollection of driving there? Alcohol has the ability to impair our judgment so severely that it’s common to assume we are completely capable of driving, even when our BAC (blood alcohol content) is only slightly above the legal limit. In most situations, there’s no way of knowing what your true BAC is until it’s too late.
People who consume alcohol on a regular basis are at the highest risk because they’ve built up a tolerance for alcohol over time. Their chances of being arrested are not only greatly increased, but they are also putting other drivers, who are entirely sober, at risk.
Many factors contribute to a person’s BAC, including weight, age, medications and recently consumed food amongst other things. It’s nearly impossible to know exactly what our BAC is after consuming alcohol. The difference between .07 and .08 can make or break your night. Being arrested for DUI can incur thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees, increase insurance rates, put careers at risk and possibly require mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment. It may even require the installation of an ignition interlock device that prevents the operation of a motor vehicle by anyone with a BAC above a specified safe level. It’s a humiliating experience in all ways, yet one that can be easily avoided in establishments equipped with the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, the latest in cutting edge breathalyzer technology.
For a reasonable fee, users of the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine can determine whether it’s safe to get behind the wheel. Alco-Buddy can help you avoid the consequences of being arrested for DUI and having your driving privileges revoked. Although Alco-Buddy is labeled “For Entertainment Purposes” it’s still a valuable and accurate tool that can be utilized by someone who is questioning their ability to drive. Even if you have arranged for a designated driver to take you home, using the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine can also serve to give you a better understanding of how alcohol affects your body. The results are often surprising, particularly when you are under the assumption that you are fully capable of driving.
It is important to remember that even if the Alco-Buddy shows that you are under the legal limit, there is never and acceptable level of alcohol consumption that makes it entirely safe to drive. In any quantity, alcohol has the ability to impair reflexes, motor skills and cognitive abilities. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant that can lead to alcohol poisoning and death. In all 50 States, a police officer can charge you with DUI if you are impaired to the slightest degree, regardless of your BAC level. If you find yourself questioning your ability to drive and are lucky enough to be in an establishment equipped with the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, always remember to “check yourself before you wreck yourself!”
For information you can visit www.alcobuddy.com
People who consume alcohol on a regular basis are at the highest risk because they’ve built up a tolerance for alcohol over time. Their chances of being arrested are not only greatly increased, but they are also putting other drivers, who are entirely sober, at risk.
Many factors contribute to a person’s BAC, including weight, age, medications and recently consumed food amongst other things. It’s nearly impossible to know exactly what our BAC is after consuming alcohol. The difference between .07 and .08 can make or break your night. Being arrested for DUI can incur thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees, increase insurance rates, put careers at risk and possibly require mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment. It may even require the installation of an ignition interlock device that prevents the operation of a motor vehicle by anyone with a BAC above a specified safe level. It’s a humiliating experience in all ways, yet one that can be easily avoided in establishments equipped with the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, the latest in cutting edge breathalyzer technology.
For a reasonable fee, users of the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine can determine whether it’s safe to get behind the wheel. Alco-Buddy can help you avoid the consequences of being arrested for DUI and having your driving privileges revoked. Although Alco-Buddy is labeled “For Entertainment Purposes” it’s still a valuable and accurate tool that can be utilized by someone who is questioning their ability to drive. Even if you have arranged for a designated driver to take you home, using the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine can also serve to give you a better understanding of how alcohol affects your body. The results are often surprising, particularly when you are under the assumption that you are fully capable of driving.
It is important to remember that even if the Alco-Buddy shows that you are under the legal limit, there is never and acceptable level of alcohol consumption that makes it entirely safe to drive. In any quantity, alcohol has the ability to impair reflexes, motor skills and cognitive abilities. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant that can lead to alcohol poisoning and death. In all 50 States, a police officer can charge you with DUI if you are impaired to the slightest degree, regardless of your BAC level. If you find yourself questioning your ability to drive and are lucky enough to be in an establishment equipped with the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, always remember to “check yourself before you wreck yourself!”
For information you can visit www.alcobuddy.com
Alco-Buddy’s Lucrative Business Opportunity for Active and Retired Military Personnel
Alco-Buddy, the leading manufacturer of alcohol breathalyzer vending machines, realizes that times are tough in the economy right now. Everyone can benefit from a cash income on the side. Even active and retired military personnel are deciding it’s time to take the leap into the small business world with an Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine route.
Take, for example, Arjuna Ramcharan, a former aircraft mechanic in the US Air Force who was stationed on a military air base in Williamsborough, NJ. Even though Arjuna had been successful throughout his career in the military, he realized that his heart had always been rooted in business. Arjuna decided that the only way it would be possible for him to fulfill his desire was to make a bold move and pursue his dream to be a businessman. While researching various different business opportunities online, Arjuna stumbled upon a Craigslist.com posting promoting a product that he believed to be a potentially lucrative business opportunity. Arjuna contacted the professional team at Alco-Buddy who instructed him on how to go about purchasing his very first machine. He was also pleased to find out that Alco-Buddy offers both active and retired military personnel a 5% discount on all their purchases!
There were many different reasons why Arjuna chose the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine to start his own business with. First, he felt that the Alco-Buddy promotes safety on the roads. Arjuna knows many people who have lost loved ones’ due to drunk driving. He believes that by furnishing the local bars with an Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, he would play an active role in reducing the amount of lives lost due to drinking and driving. He would also be contributing to the safety of the community and possibly to the safety of his own family and friends!
Another important reason why Arjuna chose the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine was because he knew it would generate a good income, which is a necessity in this day and age. The virtually maintenance free machine was n of the greatest investment for him and paid for itself in less than a year. That’s a great start for any striving entrepreneur!
Lastly, starting an Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine route served as a stepping stone into the business world and provided Arjuna with the income and experience needed to be his own boss. He developed a great relationship with the Alco-Buddy personnel who went above and beyond their job duties to assure his success in the industry. Arjuna still considers himself to be in the early stages of development and continues to make improvements to his business with every day.
Visit Alco-Buddy Breathalyzer Vending Machine at www.alcobuddy.com
Take, for example, Arjuna Ramcharan, a former aircraft mechanic in the US Air Force who was stationed on a military air base in Williamsborough, NJ. Even though Arjuna had been successful throughout his career in the military, he realized that his heart had always been rooted in business. Arjuna decided that the only way it would be possible for him to fulfill his desire was to make a bold move and pursue his dream to be a businessman. While researching various different business opportunities online, Arjuna stumbled upon a Craigslist.com posting promoting a product that he believed to be a potentially lucrative business opportunity. Arjuna contacted the professional team at Alco-Buddy who instructed him on how to go about purchasing his very first machine. He was also pleased to find out that Alco-Buddy offers both active and retired military personnel a 5% discount on all their purchases!
There were many different reasons why Arjuna chose the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine to start his own business with. First, he felt that the Alco-Buddy promotes safety on the roads. Arjuna knows many people who have lost loved ones’ due to drunk driving. He believes that by furnishing the local bars with an Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine, he would play an active role in reducing the amount of lives lost due to drinking and driving. He would also be contributing to the safety of the community and possibly to the safety of his own family and friends!
Another important reason why Arjuna chose the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine was because he knew it would generate a good income, which is a necessity in this day and age. The virtually maintenance free machine was n of the greatest investment for him and paid for itself in less than a year. That’s a great start for any striving entrepreneur!
Lastly, starting an Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine route served as a stepping stone into the business world and provided Arjuna with the income and experience needed to be his own boss. He developed a great relationship with the Alco-Buddy personnel who went above and beyond their job duties to assure his success in the industry. Arjuna still considers himself to be in the early stages of development and continues to make improvements to his business with every day.
Visit Alco-Buddy Breathalyzer Vending Machine at www.alcobuddy.com
Mothers Against Drunk Driving honor officers from across Central Florida
WINTER PARK --
Hundreds of state troopers, police officers and deputies from around Central Florida have received a big thank you for their hard work.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized the officers for their efforts to stop drinking and driving, just in time for the busy spring break season.
"It's good to feel recognized," said Florida state Trooper José Ramirez. "I think myself and other officers don't do it for the recognition. We do it for what we do: To remove impaired drivers so we can save lives."
MADD's Florida chapter also honored state attorneys and volunteers for their efforts against drunk driving.
The group said it is also kicking off a new national campaign to get parents to talk to their teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving.
SOURCE
Hundreds of state troopers, police officers and deputies from around Central Florida have received a big thank you for their hard work.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized the officers for their efforts to stop drinking and driving, just in time for the busy spring break season.
"It's good to feel recognized," said Florida state Trooper José Ramirez. "I think myself and other officers don't do it for the recognition. We do it for what we do: To remove impaired drivers so we can save lives."
MADD's Florida chapter also honored state attorneys and volunteers for their efforts against drunk driving.
The group said it is also kicking off a new national campaign to get parents to talk to their teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving.
SOURCE
Law enforcement cracking down on drunk drivers
As bars gear up for big crowds on St. Patrick's Day Thursday, area law enforcement agencies say they will use grant money to fund additional patrols for drunk drivers.
In fact, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will dispatch additional troopers and will be working with the City of Toledo to crack down on drunk driving within in city limits. Oregon Police and the Wood County Sheriff will also have extra patrols.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. John Altman encourages people to plan ahead before going out and drinking. He says he wants folks to plan ahead and use common sense on Saint Patrick's Day.
Area bars are doing their part to keep people from drinking and driving.
Ed Beczynski, who owns the Blarney in downtown Toledo, said his bartenders are trained to know when to cut someone off.
"We want them to come here and have a great time, but we need to get them home safe, so they can get here again," said Beczynski.
The Irish Pub is working with the Black and White Cab to have a taxi stand in front of the building for anyone who cannot or should not drive.
SOURCE
In fact, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will dispatch additional troopers and will be working with the City of Toledo to crack down on drunk driving within in city limits. Oregon Police and the Wood County Sheriff will also have extra patrols.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. John Altman encourages people to plan ahead before going out and drinking. He says he wants folks to plan ahead and use common sense on Saint Patrick's Day.
Area bars are doing their part to keep people from drinking and driving.
Ed Beczynski, who owns the Blarney in downtown Toledo, said his bartenders are trained to know when to cut someone off.
"We want them to come here and have a great time, but we need to get them home safe, so they can get here again," said Beczynski.
The Irish Pub is working with the Black and White Cab to have a taxi stand in front of the building for anyone who cannot or should not drive.
SOURCE
Fairfax man killed in alleged drunk driving crash
A Fairfax County man, driving on Route 1 near Fort Belvoir Monday night, was killed when another car suddenly stuck his and drove him into oncoming traffic, Fairfax police said Tuesday.
The victim was identified as Paul J. Krause, 54, of Glenbarr Court in Fairfax Station.
Police said the other driver was drunk, and after the crash, he allegedly climbed out of the car with a three-year-old boy and ran away. Police arrested the man a short distance away. He was identified as Carlos Sanchez-Ramos, 31, of Grandview Court in the Springfield area.
Sanchez-Ramos was charged with having a blood-alcohol content of between 0.15 and 0.20, which is roughly twice the legal definition of intoxication in Virginia. In addition to his second driving while intoxicated charge within five years, Sanchez-Ramos also was charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter, driving on an alcohol-related revoked license, child endangerment and two counts of felony hit and run.
Sanchez-Ramos apparently is not in the U.S. legally. A spokesman for the Fairfax County sheriff’s office said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Sanchez-Ramos after he was checked through the federal agency’s Secure Communities program. A spokesman for the immigration agency could not immediately be reached.
Fairfax court records show that Sanchez-Ramos is a native of Honduras. Two sources familiar with the case said he had previously been deported, but ICE officials did not immediately confirm that.
Court records show that in his previous drunk-driving arrest, Sanchez-Ramos also was charged with a blood-alcohol content between 0.15 and 0.20. The breathalyzer sheet shows that Sanchez-Ramos recorded a 0.16 on Nov. 22, 2007.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum five-day jail sentence. But prosecutors agreed to reduce the blood-alcohol content to 0.14, eliminating the jail time.
The three-year-old boy with Sanchez-Ramos was not harmed. It was unclear whether the boy was his son.
Krause was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion north on Richmond Highway near Telegraph Road about 5:22 p.m., Wright said. Police said the driver of a 1994 Honda Civic traveling in the same direction apparently lost control of the Civic and struck the Fusion.
The Fusion then veered into the southbound lanes and was struck head-on by a 2010 Mercedes Benz, police said. Krause was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m.
The driver and passenger in the Mercedes, a 77-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, were taken to a hospital for injuries that are not considered life threatening, police said.
A 31-year-old man who was a passenger in Sanchez-Ramos’s car also received minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. He did not flee the scene, police said.
Court records show that in November 2007, Sanchez-Ramos was charged with drunk driving and driving without a license. Sanchez-Ramos pleaded guilty to both charges in January 2008. He was given a 60-day jail sentence, with all time suspended, a fine of $300 and court costs of $182, a fairly standard sentence in Fairfax for first-time drunk drivers. He was also fined $250, and $11 in court costs, for failing to have a license. He paid the $743 combined total in fines and fees in April 2009.
SOURCE
The victim was identified as Paul J. Krause, 54, of Glenbarr Court in Fairfax Station.
Police said the other driver was drunk, and after the crash, he allegedly climbed out of the car with a three-year-old boy and ran away. Police arrested the man a short distance away. He was identified as Carlos Sanchez-Ramos, 31, of Grandview Court in the Springfield area.
Sanchez-Ramos was charged with having a blood-alcohol content of between 0.15 and 0.20, which is roughly twice the legal definition of intoxication in Virginia. In addition to his second driving while intoxicated charge within five years, Sanchez-Ramos also was charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter, driving on an alcohol-related revoked license, child endangerment and two counts of felony hit and run.
Sanchez-Ramos apparently is not in the U.S. legally. A spokesman for the Fairfax County sheriff’s office said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Sanchez-Ramos after he was checked through the federal agency’s Secure Communities program. A spokesman for the immigration agency could not immediately be reached.
Fairfax court records show that Sanchez-Ramos is a native of Honduras. Two sources familiar with the case said he had previously been deported, but ICE officials did not immediately confirm that.
Court records show that in his previous drunk-driving arrest, Sanchez-Ramos also was charged with a blood-alcohol content between 0.15 and 0.20. The breathalyzer sheet shows that Sanchez-Ramos recorded a 0.16 on Nov. 22, 2007.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum five-day jail sentence. But prosecutors agreed to reduce the blood-alcohol content to 0.14, eliminating the jail time.
The three-year-old boy with Sanchez-Ramos was not harmed. It was unclear whether the boy was his son.
Krause was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion north on Richmond Highway near Telegraph Road about 5:22 p.m., Wright said. Police said the driver of a 1994 Honda Civic traveling in the same direction apparently lost control of the Civic and struck the Fusion.
The Fusion then veered into the southbound lanes and was struck head-on by a 2010 Mercedes Benz, police said. Krause was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m.
The driver and passenger in the Mercedes, a 77-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, were taken to a hospital for injuries that are not considered life threatening, police said.
A 31-year-old man who was a passenger in Sanchez-Ramos’s car also received minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. He did not flee the scene, police said.
Court records show that in November 2007, Sanchez-Ramos was charged with drunk driving and driving without a license. Sanchez-Ramos pleaded guilty to both charges in January 2008. He was given a 60-day jail sentence, with all time suspended, a fine of $300 and court costs of $182, a fairly standard sentence in Fairfax for first-time drunk drivers. He was also fined $250, and $11 in court costs, for failing to have a license. He paid the $743 combined total in fines and fees in April 2009.
SOURCE
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Latest In Alco-Buddy Machine Design
Alco-Buddy is always coming up with innovative ideas in cutting edge alcohol breathalyzer machine designs. The most recently engineered machine features a breathalyzer machine in the shape of a bottle. The bottle design is capable of being custom wrapped in any liquor company design that you choose. This allows liquor or beer companies to pay to have their custom wrap design featured on the machine.
Three standard wraps are currently offered: a popular whisky brand, a popular domestic beer brand and a popular imported beer brand. But the bottle design can be made and customized to whatever specifications may be needed.
The standard Alco-Buddy machine design is also able to be custom wrapped. Sometimes, customization is key to getting a machine placed if the owner of the establishment prefers their machine to coordinate with the interior design. Together with the graphics team, a custom vinyl wrap can be created to meet any design needs, without any delay in production.
The availability to customize the machine however one likes is further enhanced by the new LCD screen feature that make it possible to sell advertising spots to national and/or local companies. The companies would provide a video commercial that can easily be loaded on to an SD card and inserted into the LCD screen. A substantial amount of money can be generated monthly from the 50-100 video clips the LCD is capable of storing.
In addition to the breathalyzer test, using custom wraps along with an integrated LCD design is just another way to increase the revenue stream that is capable of being generated by the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine.
To learn more, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Three standard wraps are currently offered: a popular whisky brand, a popular domestic beer brand and a popular imported beer brand. But the bottle design can be made and customized to whatever specifications may be needed.
The standard Alco-Buddy machine design is also able to be custom wrapped. Sometimes, customization is key to getting a machine placed if the owner of the establishment prefers their machine to coordinate with the interior design. Together with the graphics team, a custom vinyl wrap can be created to meet any design needs, without any delay in production.
The availability to customize the machine however one likes is further enhanced by the new LCD screen feature that make it possible to sell advertising spots to national and/or local companies. The companies would provide a video commercial that can easily be loaded on to an SD card and inserted into the LCD screen. A substantial amount of money can be generated monthly from the 50-100 video clips the LCD is capable of storing.
In addition to the breathalyzer test, using custom wraps along with an integrated LCD design is just another way to increase the revenue stream that is capable of being generated by the Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine.
To learn more, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
How to install a Alco-Buddy Breathalyzer Machine
Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machines are simple and easy to install in your establishment. All you need is a small wall space to install the breathalyzer on and a little electricity! The Alco-Buddy uses about as much electricity as a 40-watt light bulb! With its lightweight, 20lb design, Alco-Buddy machines are also easily manageable and effortless to transport.
Seven holes for mounting come pre-drilled on the back panel of the Alco-Buddy machine.
The Alco-Buddy Installation Kit provides you with heavy-duty screws to attach the machine to the wall. Each screw is rated for 75 lbs. With the machine weighing a mere 20lbs and high-quality, rugged screws rated at 75lbs each, four screws in each corner are more than enough to support the machine. A person weighing up to 300lbs can practically hang on the machine and it would not be ripped out of the wall.
The Alco-Buddy machine also features an effective locking mechanism that secures the back panel of the machine to the front of the machine. With every key turn, the back panel is brought a little bit closer to the front panel making it more than just a tumble lock that can easily be picked.
Made from 16 gauge galvanized steel, the Alco-Buddy machine is virtually impossible to break into. A lot of thought was incorporated into the Alco-Buddy machine to prevent any theft or vandalism. Its durable design will not rust and is also dent resistant.
The hardwearing vinyl used to wrap the machines are made from the same tough material used to wrap delivery trucks, protecting the machine from any drink spillage or scratching and defacing of the machine. Alco-Buddy Machines are built and engineered for longevity and autonomy and will withstand anything that a rowdy bar environment can throw at it.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Seven holes for mounting come pre-drilled on the back panel of the Alco-Buddy machine.
The Alco-Buddy Installation Kit provides you with heavy-duty screws to attach the machine to the wall. Each screw is rated for 75 lbs. With the machine weighing a mere 20lbs and high-quality, rugged screws rated at 75lbs each, four screws in each corner are more than enough to support the machine. A person weighing up to 300lbs can practically hang on the machine and it would not be ripped out of the wall.
The Alco-Buddy machine also features an effective locking mechanism that secures the back panel of the machine to the front of the machine. With every key turn, the back panel is brought a little bit closer to the front panel making it more than just a tumble lock that can easily be picked.
Made from 16 gauge galvanized steel, the Alco-Buddy machine is virtually impossible to break into. A lot of thought was incorporated into the Alco-Buddy machine to prevent any theft or vandalism. Its durable design will not rust and is also dent resistant.
The hardwearing vinyl used to wrap the machines are made from the same tough material used to wrap delivery trucks, protecting the machine from any drink spillage or scratching and defacing of the machine. Alco-Buddy Machines are built and engineered for longevity and autonomy and will withstand anything that a rowdy bar environment can throw at it.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Payment options for your Alco-Buddy Breathalyzer Machine
Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machines offer a variety of options for collecing payment.
The standard Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine automatically comes with a trouble-free ICT bill acceptor that validates $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. Because a wide range of bills can be accepted it allows different ranges to be charged.
Also available is an ICT stacker option, which allows the bills to be collected in a cassette attached to the rear of the bill accepter. This organizes the bills neatly and makes it quick and easy to service the machine and collect the money.
Machines can also be fashioned with a credit card reader, which is great for a lot of applications. No telephone or cable lines are needed, as the credit card reader is completely wireless. The reader runs on a GSM network: the same network cell phones run on. When the Alco-Buddy machine is powered up, the credit card reader is immediately prepared to start processing credit card transactions! The use of machines with credit card readers can be monitored from afar from any computer. Just log on and watch the machine in action while it processes transactions instantly.
These and other options are available depending on what works best for your establishment.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
The standard Alco-Buddy breathalyzer vending machine automatically comes with a trouble-free ICT bill acceptor that validates $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. Because a wide range of bills can be accepted it allows different ranges to be charged.
Also available is an ICT stacker option, which allows the bills to be collected in a cassette attached to the rear of the bill accepter. This organizes the bills neatly and makes it quick and easy to service the machine and collect the money.
Machines can also be fashioned with a credit card reader, which is great for a lot of applications. No telephone or cable lines are needed, as the credit card reader is completely wireless. The reader runs on a GSM network: the same network cell phones run on. When the Alco-Buddy machine is powered up, the credit card reader is immediately prepared to start processing credit card transactions! The use of machines with credit card readers can be monitored from afar from any computer. Just log on and watch the machine in action while it processes transactions instantly.
These and other options are available depending on what works best for your establishment.
For more information, please visit www.alcobuddy.com
Drunk driver charged with killing bicyclist in Newport Beach
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The Orange County District Attorney's Office filed charges Thursday against a drunk driver, for killing a bicyclist after driving into the bicycle lane while texting.
Danae Marie Miller, 22 from Newport Coast, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
On Feb. 21, Miller is accused of consuming alcohol at her workplace, Zinc Café. At approximately 6 p.m., Miller is accused of driving her car on San Joaquin Hills Road. At the same time, 41-year-old Amine Britel was riding his bicycle in a marked bicycle lane. Miller is accused of repeatedly text messaging on her cell phone while driving into the bicycle lane, hitting Britel from behind.
Witnesses and Miller called 911. Britel died at the scene. Miller is accused of having a blood alcohol content of .10 percent.
Miller is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned April 4. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
SOURCE
Danae Marie Miller, 22 from Newport Coast, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
On Feb. 21, Miller is accused of consuming alcohol at her workplace, Zinc Café. At approximately 6 p.m., Miller is accused of driving her car on San Joaquin Hills Road. At the same time, 41-year-old Amine Britel was riding his bicycle in a marked bicycle lane. Miller is accused of repeatedly text messaging on her cell phone while driving into the bicycle lane, hitting Britel from behind.
Witnesses and Miller called 911. Britel died at the scene. Miller is accused of having a blood alcohol content of .10 percent.
Miller is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned April 4. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
SOURCE
UC police urge safe holiday celebrations
UC police urge safe holiday celebrations
Posted: Saturday, March 12, 2011 12:28 am
For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family.
Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.
The Union City Police Department will kick off a “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” campaign Sunday and it will continue through March 19 — encompassing St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday.
Union City police will conduct sobriety check points from 10 p.m. Thursday until 4 a.m. March 18 in the vicinity of the National Guard armory on East Reelfoot Avenue and County Marketplace on West Reelfoot Avenue.
“Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a local party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired — and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired,” Union City Police Chief Joe Garner said. “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
Following these steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing their life or the lives of others who may be on the road. Tips include:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation to ensure getting home safely.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SOURCE
Posted: Saturday, March 12, 2011 12:28 am
For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family.
Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous.
The Union City Police Department will kick off a “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” campaign Sunday and it will continue through March 19 — encompassing St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday.
Union City police will conduct sobriety check points from 10 p.m. Thursday until 4 a.m. March 18 in the vicinity of the National Guard armory on East Reelfoot Avenue and County Marketplace on West Reelfoot Avenue.
“Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a local party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired — and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired,” Union City Police Chief Joe Garner said. “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
Following these steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing their life or the lives of others who may be on the road. Tips include:
• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If you’re impaired, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation to ensure getting home safely.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SOURCE
Milwaukee area billboard to target drunk drivers
MILWAUKEE The family and friends of a woman killed by an alleged drunken driver on New Year's morning are trying to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
They plan to unveil a public service message on an electronic billboard Saturday in the Interstate 94 corridor where 34-year-old Corrie Damske, of Wauwatosa, died.
Damske was heading home at 7:15 a.m. after spending the night at a friend's when she was struck head-on by Leopoldo Salas Gayton, an alleged drunk driver going the wrong way on I-94.
The timing of the billboard is targeted at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. A representative is expected to speak on behalf of the family at the unveiling.
SOURCE
They plan to unveil a public service message on an electronic billboard Saturday in the Interstate 94 corridor where 34-year-old Corrie Damske, of Wauwatosa, died.
Damske was heading home at 7:15 a.m. after spending the night at a friend's when she was struck head-on by Leopoldo Salas Gayton, an alleged drunk driver going the wrong way on I-94.
The timing of the billboard is targeted at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. A representative is expected to speak on behalf of the family at the unveiling.
SOURCE
Monday, March 7, 2011
Authorities crack down on underage drinking and driving
State police are reminding teenagers that if they drink and drive this prom season, they could pay some severe consequences.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- State police are reminding teenagers that if they drink and drive this prom season, they could pay some severe consequences.
The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office announced Monday that state, county and city law enforcement agencies will join forces March 11-20 and April 15-24 looking for drunk drivers with an emphasis on those under 21 years of age.
Officers will conduct additional sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols as part of the continuing effort to apprehend drunk drivers.
According to state police, motor vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of teenagers in America, and nearly one-third of the fatality crashes are alcohol related.
Spring, the season of proms, school breaks and graduation parties, can be a dangerous time for young drivers. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities typically rise during these months, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The consequences of a DWI or DUI are far more serious than an impaired driver may realize. Arkansas teenagers driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .02 and .07 can be arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). If the BAC is .08 or greater, an arrest of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) will occur.
Arkansas' penalties for underage DUI are substantial and include the loss of driving privileges, court imposed fines and community service. The fine for an underage DUI ranges from $100 to $2000. In addition, there are attorney's fees and significantly higher insurance premiums.
If an underage driver registers a BAC of .08 or above, law enforcement officers are required to charge the violator with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), which is the same as an adult offense and has identical consequences of jail sentences, fines, court costs, community service, license suspension, higher insurance premiums and possibly other related costs.
"There's even a greater cost to pay in personal anguish that lives forever when death or serious injury has been the result of a drunk driver," said Colonel Winford E. Phillips, Director of the Arkansas State Police and Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "We are asking teenagers to stop and consider all the consequences before being caught and arrested for drunk driving."
The current education campaign is designed to increase awareness of the dangers associated with teenage drinking and driving through heightened enforcement operations, paid media and school-based educational activities.
"We want to be sure that young people get the message that underage drinking and driving is a crime that will not be tolerated," Colonel Phillips said.
SOURCE
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- State police are reminding teenagers that if they drink and drive this prom season, they could pay some severe consequences.
The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office announced Monday that state, county and city law enforcement agencies will join forces March 11-20 and April 15-24 looking for drunk drivers with an emphasis on those under 21 years of age.
Officers will conduct additional sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols as part of the continuing effort to apprehend drunk drivers.
According to state police, motor vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of teenagers in America, and nearly one-third of the fatality crashes are alcohol related.
Spring, the season of proms, school breaks and graduation parties, can be a dangerous time for young drivers. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities typically rise during these months, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The consequences of a DWI or DUI are far more serious than an impaired driver may realize. Arkansas teenagers driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .02 and .07 can be arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). If the BAC is .08 or greater, an arrest of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) will occur.
Arkansas' penalties for underage DUI are substantial and include the loss of driving privileges, court imposed fines and community service. The fine for an underage DUI ranges from $100 to $2000. In addition, there are attorney's fees and significantly higher insurance premiums.
If an underage driver registers a BAC of .08 or above, law enforcement officers are required to charge the violator with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), which is the same as an adult offense and has identical consequences of jail sentences, fines, court costs, community service, license suspension, higher insurance premiums and possibly other related costs.
"There's even a greater cost to pay in personal anguish that lives forever when death or serious injury has been the result of a drunk driver," said Colonel Winford E. Phillips, Director of the Arkansas State Police and Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "We are asking teenagers to stop and consider all the consequences before being caught and arrested for drunk driving."
The current education campaign is designed to increase awareness of the dangers associated with teenage drinking and driving through heightened enforcement operations, paid media and school-based educational activities.
"We want to be sure that young people get the message that underage drinking and driving is a crime that will not be tolerated," Colonel Phillips said.
SOURCE
MADD not impressed by Vallario drunk-driving bill
A bill introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Vallario to deal with the issue of installing ignition interlock devices on the vehicles owned by convicted drunk drivers is being dismissed by MADD Maryland as accomplishing nothing that doesn't exist under current law.
"Twelve pages of nothing," MADD Maryland executive director Caroline Cash calls it.
The bill, which had 30 co-sponsors from both parties, is one of several that have been introduced during the current General Assembly session on the topic of ignition interlock technology, which prevents a motorist from starting a car after consuming alcohol.
MADD supports legislation that would make installation of such devices mandatory for all those convicted on driving under the influence. Such a bill passed thhe Senate last year only to die in the Judiciary Committee when Vallario declined to bring it up for a vote.
This year the Prince George's County Democrat has weighed in with his own bill, but MADD isn't impressed. "It does nothing to increase the use if interlock -- let alone save lives and prevent injuries," said Caroline Cash, executive director of MADD Maryland.
Cash said she had at first been encouraged when she heard Vallario was proposing his own bill. But once interlock proponents read the full bill, they realized there was nothing mandatory about it, she said.
MADD supports a bill called the Drunk Driving Elimination Act, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jamie Raskin and in the House by Del. Benjamin F. Kramer, both Montgomery County Democrats.
Cash said MADD would raise the issue with House Speaker Michael E. Busch, who decided to retain Vallario as chairman despite protests last year from women delegates over the treatment of witnesses before the committee. She said the chairman's proposed bill isn't even as strong as the compromise legislation MADD rejected as too weak last year.
The Vallario bill would require drivers who are found to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more -- or those who refuse an alcohol test -- to enter an ignition interlock program in order to avert a driver's license suspension. But Cash said that is no more than drivers are permitted to do now, adding that many drivers simply accept the suspension but continue driving anyway.
Vallario's role is crucial because as chairman he can prevent any bill he opposes from getting a vote in committee. In practical terms only the speaker, who appoints committee chairs, has the authority to tell him to bring a bill to a vote.
SOURCE
"Twelve pages of nothing," MADD Maryland executive director Caroline Cash calls it.
The bill, which had 30 co-sponsors from both parties, is one of several that have been introduced during the current General Assembly session on the topic of ignition interlock technology, which prevents a motorist from starting a car after consuming alcohol.
MADD supports legislation that would make installation of such devices mandatory for all those convicted on driving under the influence. Such a bill passed thhe Senate last year only to die in the Judiciary Committee when Vallario declined to bring it up for a vote.
This year the Prince George's County Democrat has weighed in with his own bill, but MADD isn't impressed. "It does nothing to increase the use if interlock -- let alone save lives and prevent injuries," said Caroline Cash, executive director of MADD Maryland.
Cash said she had at first been encouraged when she heard Vallario was proposing his own bill. But once interlock proponents read the full bill, they realized there was nothing mandatory about it, she said.
MADD supports a bill called the Drunk Driving Elimination Act, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jamie Raskin and in the House by Del. Benjamin F. Kramer, both Montgomery County Democrats.
Cash said MADD would raise the issue with House Speaker Michael E. Busch, who decided to retain Vallario as chairman despite protests last year from women delegates over the treatment of witnesses before the committee. She said the chairman's proposed bill isn't even as strong as the compromise legislation MADD rejected as too weak last year.
The Vallario bill would require drivers who are found to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more -- or those who refuse an alcohol test -- to enter an ignition interlock program in order to avert a driver's license suspension. But Cash said that is no more than drivers are permitted to do now, adding that many drivers simply accept the suspension but continue driving anyway.
Vallario's role is crucial because as chairman he can prevent any bill he opposes from getting a vote in committee. In practical terms only the speaker, who appoints committee chairs, has the authority to tell him to bring a bill to a vote.
SOURCE
Edwards says he wants to return to Jets, and they want him back
Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards made a brief appearance in Manhattan criminal court this morning in an attempt to get his September 2010 drunk driving arrest tossed.
The 28-year-old free agent told reporters he still wants to play for the Jets this coming season, and his attorney filed legal motions challenging the accuracy of the blood alcohol exams that show Edwards was twice over the legal limit.
"I talked to Rex ... a couple of days ago, more a catching up type of thing," Edwards said after the hearing, referring to Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "The interest is there on their side. The interest is there on my side, so we have to wait to see what happens."
Last Sept. 21, police pulled over Edwards’ Range Rover on 12th Avenue near 34th Street for having excessively tinted windows. Cops said he appeared intoxicated and blew 0.16 (twice the legal limit) on a Breathalyzer test.
His attorney, Peter Frankel, filed routine motions challenging the accuracy of the two tests Edwards was given, one in the field and one back at the precinct, that indicated the star player was drunk.
The case was adjourned until May 16.
Since the season ended, Edwards, who denies being drunk at the wheel, said he’s been taking it easy and relaxing, but the Jets remain foremost on his mind.
"I definitely still want to be a Jet. Everyone knows that," he said. "If they give me the opportunity, I definitely want to come back and maybe take advantage of that championship this year. Maybe we’ll win one.
"One more time, I love being a Jet."
Edwards and all other NFL players can not sign new contracts until the league's labor situation is resolved. The deadline on the expiring collective bargaining agreement was extended one week to this coming Friday.
The drunk driving charge isn’t Edwards' first brush with the law. Two days before he was traded to the Jets in October 2009 he allegedly punched a local party promoter at a Cleveland nightclub.
He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and was given probation.
SOURCE
The 28-year-old free agent told reporters he still wants to play for the Jets this coming season, and his attorney filed legal motions challenging the accuracy of the blood alcohol exams that show Edwards was twice over the legal limit.
"I talked to Rex ... a couple of days ago, more a catching up type of thing," Edwards said after the hearing, referring to Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "The interest is there on their side. The interest is there on my side, so we have to wait to see what happens."
Last Sept. 21, police pulled over Edwards’ Range Rover on 12th Avenue near 34th Street for having excessively tinted windows. Cops said he appeared intoxicated and blew 0.16 (twice the legal limit) on a Breathalyzer test.
His attorney, Peter Frankel, filed routine motions challenging the accuracy of the two tests Edwards was given, one in the field and one back at the precinct, that indicated the star player was drunk.
The case was adjourned until May 16.
Since the season ended, Edwards, who denies being drunk at the wheel, said he’s been taking it easy and relaxing, but the Jets remain foremost on his mind.
"I definitely still want to be a Jet. Everyone knows that," he said. "If they give me the opportunity, I definitely want to come back and maybe take advantage of that championship this year. Maybe we’ll win one.
"One more time, I love being a Jet."
Edwards and all other NFL players can not sign new contracts until the league's labor situation is resolved. The deadline on the expiring collective bargaining agreement was extended one week to this coming Friday.
The drunk driving charge isn’t Edwards' first brush with the law. Two days before he was traded to the Jets in October 2009 he allegedly punched a local party promoter at a Cleveland nightclub.
He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and was given probation.
SOURCE
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Message from the CEO of Alco-Buddy Breathalyzer Vending Machines
Message from the CEO of Alco-Buddy discussing business opportunities, profitability, custom wrap designs, advertisement, how easy it is to setup a machine and much more. More information is available at www.alcobuddy.com
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