Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU)
Overview
The Impaired Driving Section (IDS) is comprised of the Breath Test Program (BTP), Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU) Program, Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP), and the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP). All programs provide statewide impaired driving enforcement support, training and services to criminal justice professionals.
Key Measurements and Statistics
Breath Test Program
The Breath Test Program (BTP) provides forensic breath alcohol calibration, maintenance, and repair of over 220 evidential breath test instruments across the state. Additionally, they provide expert courtroom testimony, legal discovery, data analysis and training for operators of the instruments. In 2018, the BTP obtained international accreditation from the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) program through 2022.
Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU)
The MIDU is a 36 foot motor home that travels across the state in support of all law enforcement agencies’ efforts during Driving Under the Influence (DUI) emphasis patrols. The MIDU effectively and efficiently processes impaired drivers in a timely manner which allows the arresting officer to return to patrol much quicker. The MIDU is equipped with evidential breath testing instruments, holding cells, office working stations, and incident command communications capabilities. It is staffed with DUI processors, law enforcement phlebotomists, and Drug Recognition Expert’s (DRE’s). IDS also provides additional office processing locations when the MIDU is unavailable.
Major 2019 Deployments
- St. Patrick’s Day – 3 processing sites statewide, 29 DUI arrests; 14 processed
- Cinco De Mayo – 5 processing sites statewide, 77 DUI arrests; 54 processed
- Seafair (Seattle) – 52 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests & 2 DUI arrests; all processed
- All November Weekends (Seattle) – 204 DUI arrests; 153 processed
Drug Evaluation and Classification program (DECP)
The Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) provides certification training for law enforcement Drug Recognition Experts (DRE’s) to perform drug impairment evaluations of suspected impaired drivers. This program also trains officers on basic drug/alcohol impaired driving detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and the use of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST’s).
Ignition Interlock Program
The Ignition Interlock Program (IIP) provides regulatory oversight of interlock device approvals, service center and technician certifications, as well as conducting criminal investigations on the misuse, tampering, and circumvention of the devices. Compliance checks are also conducted throughout the year to help educate restricted drivers.
The IIP provided nearly 50 hours of training to over 600 law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, licensing professionals, and various other groups on ignition interlocks.
Successes of 2019
The IDS responded in a timely and accurate fashion to 639 complex public disclosure requests.
The Breath Test Program (BTP) successfully completed an ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation off-site visit.
The Ignition Interlock Program (IIP) provided on-site technical advisory and assistance to the States of Colorado, Oregon, and California and hosted personnel from Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina and Michigan on beginning and improving their interlock programs.
The IIP program manager was elected to the Association of Ignition Interlock Program Administrators (AIIPA) Board of Directors.
Additional Information and Resources
For more information on the Impaired Driving Section Discovery Materials public website, please click here: WSP – Web Based Discovery Materials.