February 16, 2011 

REP. O’BRIEN INTRODUCES BILL TO REQUIRE BLOOD OR URINE TESTS
AT HOSPITALS OF SUSPECTED DRUNKEN DRIVERS
Proposal Gets Transportation Public Hearing

State Representative Elaine O’Brien (D-Suffield/Windsor/East Granby) has introduced a bill that would require a blood or urine sample at hospitals from persons suspected of drunk driving.

House Bill 6132, “An Act Concerning Evidence Of Drunken Driving”, was introduced to make it possible for police to obtain blood or urine samples from suspected drunken drivers who go to hospitals for medical care after crashes.

Rep. O’Brien’s bill was heard by the legislature’s Transportation Committee Monday.

“This bill would close a loophole in the current law that drunken driver suspects can take advantage of by going to a hospital to avoid sobriety tests,” Rep. O’Brien said. “Tests at hospitals would let us know if drivers were drunk or not.”

“Drunk drivers can kill people and we need to be able to gather evidence against persons who drink or use drugs,” Rep. O’Brien said. “Let’s close the loophole and stop suspects from using the current law to avoid testing and possible punishment.”

Rep. O’Brien’s bill drew support from the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.

James Strillacci, West Hartford Police Chief and President of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, told Transportation Committee members that Rep. O’Brien’s proposal was necessary because suspects were dodging testing procedures under current law, “even some of our brother officers.”

Cromwell Police Chief - Anthony Salvatore also testified in support of the bill warning that suspected drunken drivers refuse blood tests at hospitals to avoid the results being used against them.

Suffield resident, Don Minor, a 22-year emergency technician, testified at the public hearing saying, “I believe it’s time to take a step to reduce the carnage on our roads and close this loophole.”

Robbin Cullin of Mothers Against Drunk Driving testified in favor of  Rep. O’Brien’s bill saying it was “imperative to test injured suspects involved in a crash” in order to keep drunk drivers off the road.

Rep. O’Brien thanked the committee’s leaders for hearing her bill and was pleased for the support her measure received during public testimony.

Rep. O’Brien, elected to her first term in the General Assembly representing Suffield, East Granby and Windsor, serves on the Transportation, Commerce and Planning and Development Committee.