The 45 year-old Jim Leyritz is currently out on bail while waiting for trial for DUI-manslaughter charges as a result of a fatal car accident in 2007. Part of his bail conditions is to stay away from alcohol, and he has a breathalyzer installed in his car. To start the car, Leyritz has to blow into the device, and he has to periodically blow into the device while driving.

Leyritz reportedly got distraught when, on Wednesday night, he blew into the Breathalyzer to start his car but the device indicated that he had been drinking. According to Leyritz’ ex-wife Karri whose house Jim is currently living in, he had not been drinking. A second attempt at breathing into the Breathaluzer registered a clean reading, but Leyritz got upset with the first reading and the fact that it will be reported as a violation on his part of his bail conditions. He reportedly threatened suicide, and police went to Karri Leyritz’ house after receiving a phone call from someone that the police said “had concern for Leyritz’ welfare”.

Police officers drove the former athlete to the hospital. He was released from the Memorial Hospital psychiatric unit in Hollywood, Florida on Thursday afternoon. If the first reading of the alcohol-testing device confirms a violation, a warrant of arrest due to violation of bail conditions may be issued by Thursday this week.

The official statement from authorities is that they are awaiting results from the alcohol testing device. This would not be the first time, however, that Leyritz consumed alcohol since being released on bail. A judge ruled, however, that he was not specifically ordered to refrain from drinking and let him go free. However, in a hearing last February, Leyritz was specifically told not to drink.

Russian Emergencies Minister Sergey Shoigu has suggested that all cars in Russia be equipped with breathalyzers. That move would be 100-percent effective in preventing drunken driving, he noted at the opening of a security exhibition in Moscow. Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev expressed support for the idea as well, according to Gazeta.ru.

“A person sits at the wheel and, if he is drunk, the car won’t start because alcohol fumes are being given off and so the machine blocks the car’s starting system,” Shoigu explained. He admitted the move may not be popular, saying, “No one is likely to put such a system in his car voluntarily. If we take combating drunken driving seriously, we have to make it mandatory.”

Russia has a notoriously high traffic fatality rate. According to Sky News last year, two-thirds of all the road deaths in Europe occur in Russia. One hundred people per day die on Russia’s roads, which is a major contributor to Russia's steep mortality rate and ten times more per automobile than in Great Britain. Bad roads and the lack of emergency equipment and trained personnel are also a major problem. Traffic police are not trained in first aid, for example.

This year in the Utah legislature the periods for penalties for suspension of driver license privileges have become longer. Senate Bill 272 becomes effective on May 12. For a first DUI violation, age 21 and older, the current suspension is 90 days, the new suspension will be 120 days.

For the second DUI violation the current suspension is one year and the new suspension will be two years. For a DUI first offense for someone under 21 the suspension was 90 days. The suspension is now the longer of 120 days or 21st birthday. For a second DUI offense for someone under 21, the current suspension is one year, the new suspension will be the longer of two years or 21st birthday.

For someone 21 years or older for a BA (breathalyzer or blood alcohol test) refusal the current suspension stays the same at 18 months; for a second BA refusal for a prior suspension the current suspension is 18 months, the new suspension is 36 months. For someone under 21 years the BA refusal first offense is 18 months; the new suspension is the longer of 18 months or the 21st birthday; the second offense for a BA refusal, with a prior suspension is the longer of 36 months or the 21st birthday.

For under 21 an alcohol/drug possession the current suspension is 90 days, the new suspension is one year. For a second alcohol/drug possession the current suspension is six months; the new suspension is two years. The third suspension for drug/alcohol is currently a one year suspension; the new suspension is two years.

For all ages a DUI within the last 18 months will require the installation of an ignition interlock device. All these changes become effective May 12.

When you sign your name to get a driver license you are agreeing that you will consent to a drug alcohol test or a breathalyzer test upon the request of a peace officer. It is a privilege to have a driver license not a right.

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