Connecticut State Police troopers on the midnight shift at the Bethany barracks played a perverse game. In an ‘open competition’ they attempted to become members of the “100 Club”, marked by making 100 Connecticut DWI arrests during a year. Rules, police procedures, and whether a motorist was actually legally drunk didn’t matter.

Police involved in the game either mishandled or failed to collect evidence. They went against police procedure and only videotaped 14 of the 500 drunk driving arrests made during 2003. They even recommended that motorists not take breath tests, warning suspected DWI offenders that they would spend more time in police lockup if they elected to exercise their constitutional rights.

In addition, paperwork was filed late, probable cause for many DWI arrests was not established and inconsistencies in the administration and handling of tests used to determine a DWI suspect’s blood alcohol content.

In 2003 troopers from Bethany barracks were awarded a citation for the most DWI arrests in a four state district. At the same time, those arrested for suspicion of DWI in the Bethany area were telling prosecutors that state troopers were advising them not to submit to a breathalyzer test, even if the motorist felt it could prove they were not legally intoxicated.

Though the improprieties were unveiled through routine checks, a recent report slams police internal affairs for not having conducted a more thorough investigation of Connecticut DWI arrest procedures. The report states that the 100 Club “had the most direct result on members of the general public.” It expressed concerns for the rights of the DWI suspects and the impact that the misconduct may have had on DWI convictions.

The Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney and Attorney General said they would review drunk driving cases in the 14 towns policed by the Bethany barracks. Connecticut DWI defense attorneys are planning legal challenges for their DWI clients.

Beverly Hills police have announced that actor Lane Garrison was driving his SUV last Saturday when it crashed, killing one passenger and injuring two others. They also feel Garrison had been drinking and driving.

Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mitch McCann said, “Mr. Garrison displayed symptoms of alcohol intoxication, and the investigation into Mr. Garrison’s impairment is ongoing. In addition to noting Mr. Garrison’s symptoms, investigators also removed alcohol containers from the SUV.”

The ‘Prison Break’ actor lost control his 2001 Land Rover shortly before midnight, striking the center median, hitting a tree and rolling over. A 17-year old male in the front passenger seat was ejected by the impact. Two 15-year old girls in the back seat had to be freed by the fire department. All four were taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where the boy was pronounced dead. One of the girls remains in serious condition.

The 26-year old actor, who received minor injuries, was released but not immediately arrested. Garrison purportedly met the girls at a nearby supermarket and they had invited him to a party.

Garrison grew up in Richardson, Texas, living with the family of Ashlee and Jessica Simpson. The girls’ father, Joe Simpson, who is a former pastor, opened his house to the troubled teen after Garrison’s parents died. Garrison played David ‘Tweener’ Apolskis on the Fox television series. His character was killed off earlier this season.

After being involved in a collision in suburban Westchester County, Rip Torn was arrested for drunk driving. State police say Torn refused to take a field sobriety test and that he would be arraigned on the charge of New York DWI.

This is Torn’s second arrest for New York DWI. He was acquitted of a drunk driving charge stemming from an accident with a taxi cab in New York City in 2004. He went on a well noted verbal tirade during that DWI arrest. After acquittal in that incident he exclaimed in the courtroom, “I love New York!”

The 75-year old actor has appeared in the recent movies "Marie Antoinette" and "Dodgeball." He is perhaps best recognized for his role as Chief Zed in the two “Men In Black” movies. Torn received an Emmy award ten years ago for his portrayal of a hard drinking producer on “The Larry Sanders Show.”

The Texas native has two sons with television personality Judge Judy.

The number of arrests for California DUI made by the Ukiah Police jumped from 56 arrests in 2005 to 283 DUI arrests this year during the same 6-month period. And that does not include DUI arrests made by the California Highway Patrol or the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. In response, the Pub Sports Bar and Grill decided to provide a unique alternative for their patrons and started ‘A Safe Ride’ program.

Operating during popular business hours, the 11-passenger van will pick-up people for free, shuttle them to the bar and then provide a ride home. The van even features barf bags and a bucket.

The owners of the pub noted that the increase in DUI arrests was impacting business at area bars. They are quick to point out that no one wants drunk drivers on the road though they feel the distinction between exceeding the legal blood alcohol level and being a responsible social drinker has being blurred by the police. Police would reportedly wait near bars, watch people leaving and stop drivers for suspicion of DUI even if they showed no signs of intoxication.

The van has quickly become popular with patrons, and though the bar has seen a modest increase in business it has not yet covered the expenses associated with running the service. Still, the pub owners saw a need and there are now talks of expanding the service to provide a safe way home after area cultural events.

A New Mexico band has come up with a unique way to help the state in its campaign against drunk driving. The Soul Deacons recorded a tune titled “Christmas in Jail” and donated it to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for use in its anti-DWI efforts.

Though quite different from the classic soul the band usually plays, The Soul Deacons insist that they have not changed their style. Actually the band members hope the novel DWI song is adopted nationwide in the fight against drunk driving. The band’s lead singer said, “we’re planning in the 2007 holiday season to go national in cooperation with the federal Department of Transportation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.”

Soul Deacons Christmas in Jail Songs

Click here to play "Christmas in Jail"

Click here to play "Next Time"

Yard Work in New York – David Dascher of upstate New York was charged with New York DWI after being spotted rolling down the street on his riding mower, beer in hand. Besides the driving while intoxicated charge, he was fined for littering.

Trying the court’s patience in Pennsylvania – Paula Davis, 38, of Pittsburgh, signed a plea agreement for her Pennnsylvania DUI that required electronic monitoring. While being taken for installation of the monitor she was given a routine breath test. It registered a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit. Davis said she had become frustrated waiting in the courtroom and had a “few vodkas” during lunch. She was sent to jail.

Drive thru in California – On a Saturday night, a motorist made an appearance at the Jewel Box Bar by crashing through a wall. The driver then attempted to back up and leave. He was charged with California DUI after drug paraphernalia was found in his SUV. No one was injured and the San Diego bar owner is hoping insurance will pay for most of the damage.

Sharing the road in Pennsylvania – Around 6:30 pm, a drunk driver hit an Amish couple in their horse-drawn buggy near Strasburg, drove more than a mile, hit another buggy occupied by a family and then continued on before being stopped by state police. Michael Lee Craig, 34, of Nottingham, was charged with Pennsylvania DUI after striking the buggies with his sport-utility vehicle. There were only minor injuries though one horse broke loose and was killed after being hit by two cars.

No leg to stand on in Seattle – Washington state police stopped a 300-pound legless man for suspicion of drunk driving. The 31-year old man said he had been at a party where he sat in his car and drank. A breath test showed his BAC was three times the legal limit. But he refused to get out of his car to be arrested for DUI. He rejected use of a wheelchair because it wasn’t his. Family members, including his mother, were called to the scene but they eventually gave up trying to help and left. Police reinforcements were then requested to haul the hefty man from his car. He continued to resist, spitting on the officers. After being muzzled and tied to a stretcher, the man was taken to a nearby hospital.

Former ‘Saturday Night Live’ regular Tracy Morgan was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with New York DWI. The ‘30 Rock’ co-star was stopped around 4:30 in the morning while driving his Cadillac Escalade in Upper Manhattan.

Police stated that Morgan was driving erratically and was unable to “maintain a position in a lane of traffic.” It was reported that the 38-year old comedian smelled of alcohol and that he admitted to drinking beer at a club before being stopped. He was taken to a Precinct station house where he failed a breath test and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired.

Morgan is scheduled to appear in Manhattan State Supreme Court for arraignment.

The arrest jeopardizes Morgan’s probation for a previous California DUI conviction. He was arrested in Hollywood last December after registering a blood alcohol content of 0.13. The California legal limit is 0.08. He pleaded no contest to that incident and was fined, sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to attend an alcohol abuse program.

Morgan was a member of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast from 1996 to 2003.

A one-year old program called Drunk Buster has had an impact on New Mexico’s roads. The toll free hot line (877-DWI-HALT) allows motorists to tip off New Mexico State police to drivers who are possibly driving while intoxicated.

Robert Clayton of the Drunk Buster says, “It is surprising to me the folks that are on the road actually looking for bad drivers and willing to call it in.”

And call they do. Nearly 2,200 calls have been placed to the hot line since it went into operation in December 2005. Those tips lead to 29 New Mexico DWI arrests.

“That’s 29 and possibly more lives that have been saved,” Clayton said.

New York Jets tackle Adrian Jones was charged with New York DWI last Saturday. The player was reportedly driving his Chrysler 300 slowly and changing lanes without signaling at about 4:30 in the morning.

He was arraigned in Nassau County District Court. Nassau County public information officer Vincent Garcia said Jones was “driving erratically, so he (was) pulled over, and after being interviewed, he was arrested.”

Jones refused to perform a breath test, which will result in the suspension of his driver’s license. He has no previous arrests, and typically those convicted of first time New York DWI receive probation and are fined. According to league policy, the NFL will place Jones in a substance abuse counseling program.

Jones apologized to his family, teammates and coaches, saying he used “poor judgment and will be held accountable for it.” A statement from the Jets said, “We are extremely disappointed… The New York Jets expect all players and personnel to conduct themselves with the highest regard for the welfare of our community.” Jones was purportedly fined $20,000 by the team.

His New York DWI defense attorney said Jones has a Department of Motor Vehicles hearing in early December concerning his driver’s license and a court date of December 15.

For additional blogs concerning NFL players arrested for DWI or DUI, use the following links:

http://www.dwi.com/blog/texas/cowboy-dwi-apology

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is an association of local governments and elected officials that address regional issues such as transportation needs and the environment. The goal is to establish cohesive plans that will benefit a thirteen county area inhabited by nearly 5.5 million people.

Earlier this year the council created a special group titled the Regional Safety Council. RSC is comprised of elected officials, law enforcement personnel, representatives from the insurance and transportation industries, health care officials and safety advocates. Their focus is on safety concerns and coordination of safety efforts across the region.

The RSC recently announced an outline of recommendations aimed at reducing automobile accidents, especially alcohol related crashes. The timing of the announcement was well planned. According to the latest data available, Harris County ranked number one in the country in DWI related deaths per capita, and the peak of vehicular crashes occurs in December.

The Regional Safety Council recommendations include:

– Having judges require installation of ignition interlock systems in the vehicles of those convicted of Texas DWI, even first time DWI offenders.

– Passing State legislation that would require hospital emergency room workers to report patients with a high blood alcohol content.

– Initiating Legislation that would make it illegal for bartenders and alcohol servers to drink on the job.

– Authorizing sobriety checkpoints to check drivers for Texas DWI.

– Studying Texas DWI arrest patterns to identify businesses and areas prone to drinking and driving incidents.

– Creating education programs warning teens about the dangers of under-age drinking.

Responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations will now fall to a combination of local and regional courts and agencies, as well as the Texas State Legislature.