Cops to get breathalysers with inbuilt camera

The police are buying 100 breathalysers with built-in cameras to aid its efforts to crack down on drunk driving. Following the nod from the state government, the City Police has called for supply of devices with customised specifications involving technology, sampling method, mode, and concentration range among others. 

Officers pointed out that it would help them step up the vigil, while field staff added that breathalysers with inbuilt cameras would help in cases of disputes when the cases reach the courts. 

“There are instances where riders claim before the court that they never underwent breathalyser test. These new-generation breathalysers would serve as evidence for the violator’s presence on the spot. We heard that the device would also have test result with time and location mentioned in longitude and latitude,” said a traffic police officer. 

“I hope the camera is of good quality which can capture clear and identifiable image,” he added. These next generation breathalysers would be fitted with electro-chemical fuel cell sensor, which has high specificity to alcohol without being affected by breath contaminants and radio frequency interference.

“We have insisted that the design should focus on safety of the officers carrying out the test. It should prevent exhaled breath from being directed to the officer to avoid air-borne infection,” said a senior officer. 

At present, drunk drivers are screened at about 150 locations across the city using nearly 300 breathalysers. Joint Commissioner traffic-north) R Sudhakar said that the additional devices which are proposed to be procured would help strengthen the drive against drunk driving.