There's a great article over at Life360.com on Hyla's experience with owning a breathalyzer. Give it a quick read.

http://www.life360.com/blog/why-i-own-a-breathalyzer/

Associated Press -- Some drunken driving offenders will soon have to prove they haven't had a drink before they can start their vehicles.

A law that takes effect today requires offenders to install ignition-interlock devices in their vehicles. If the device detects alcohol on the driver's breath, the vehicle will not start.

The law starts on an experimental basis in four counties - Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare.

The experiment phase will last five years, after which lawmakers can consider expanding the program statewide.

Supporters hope the built-in Breathalyzers will help reduce accidents and deaths, as they have in other states.

Pennsylvania wine lovers can now purchase a bottle at supermarkets -- but only after they blow into a Breathalyzer.

Easing up on its strict liquor laws, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board this week began allowing wine sales in grocery stores. The pilot program involved machines installed in two stores near Harrisburg.

After selecting which wine they want on a touch screen -- the machines offer 53 varieties -- wine drinkers insert their drive's license (an employee at the Liquor Control Board can see the customer through a camera) and their credit card into the device. Then they are asked to blow into an opening in the device.

Only those who are sober get the sale.

If successful, the PLCB aims to launch kiosk sales in at least 100 stores statewide in August.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Authorities say former Brazil striker Romario was fined US$530 for refusing to take a breathalyzer test during a traffic stop.

Brazil's state government says in a statement that Romario was asked to take the test early Monday as police randomly checked for drunk drivers.

Romario gave no reason for refusing, but was forced to call a friend to come and drive his car home for him.

Romario - who led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title and was voted the world's best player that year - has seen other trouble of late.

Last July he spent a night in jail for failure to pay child support.

In the same month, he was convicted of tax evasion.

A Cambridge man who holds patents on agents used in Sensodyne toothpaste said state Sen. Anthony Galluccio can brush his teeth all he wants -- it shouldn’t set off any court-issued breathalyzer tests he is required to take.

“Sorbitol is not going to show up,” he said. “The only one that will register is ethyl alcohol. Some physicians or medical doctors don’t know the chemistry.”

KSDK -- St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit when he was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to a recently released police report.

Freese was stopped for a traffic violation at the intersection of Lindbergh and Page in Maryland Heights around 2:40 a.m. Saturday. He was given a field sobriety test and then arrested.

Freese told the officer he drank seven beers and was headed from downtown St. Louis to his Wildwood home.

His blood alcohol was 0.232. The legal driving limit is 0.08.

Freese, a graduate of Lafayette High School, is scheduled to appear in court on February 4, 2010. All Cardinal players are due to report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida on February 23.

This is the fourth drunk driving incident involving a member of the Cardinals organization since 2007.  Manager Tony LaRussa was arrested in Jupiter for DUI during Spring Training in 2007, Scott Spiezio was arrested and charged for a drunk driving accident in February 2008 in California.  And relief pitcher Josh Hancock died in April 2007 after slamming his SUV into a tow truck on Interstate 64.

The federal justice minister is considering a new law that would allow police to conduct random breathalyzer tests on drivers, regardless of whether they suspect motorists have been drinking.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson raised the prospect recently at a meeting of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to MADD chief executive Andrew Murie.

If random testing were to be adopted, it would be a major change to Canada's 40-year-old breathalyzer legislation, which stipulates that police may only administer a test if they suspect a driver has been drinking.

In June, a House of Commons parliamentary committee recommended changing the legislation to allow for random testing, arguing it is an effective deterrent.

The change would also bring Canada in line with a number of other countries in Europe and countries like Australia, which have adopted similar measures.

Murie said its biggest selling point is that it improves road safety, with drunk driving fatalities dropping 36 per cent in Australia after legislation was introduced, and 23 per cent in Ireland when it made the change.

September 1st not only marks the first day of a new month, but the first day some new Louisiana laws take effect. One in particular affects motorists who choose to drink and drive.

Starting Monday, anyone who refuses to take a breathalyzer test may lose their license for a year.

That penalty is now doubled from the previous law, where motorists who refused would only lose their license for six months.

TV10 would like to know if you agree with the new breathalyzer law, to let us know participate in our online poll.  

A DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista, California, has resulted in 33 citations and 25 vehicle impounds according to local police. 

The checkpoint was in place from 6PM to 2AM Monday on the Eastlake Parkway. The checkpoint was part of the national DUI crackdown, "Over the Limit. Under Arrest." This national effort has granted funds through state departments of traffic safety for increased enforcement of DUI and vehicle-safety violations surrounding the Labor Day holiday.