Southern Mississippi law enforcement officers have a new weapon in their effort to catch drunk drivers. Just in time for the holiday season they have taken possession of a Blood Alcohol Trailer, or BAT.
Six southern counties will be sharing the trailer, which allows officers to perform breath tests, complete paperwork and detain up to eight DUI suspects. The mobile unit can be placed in the field, near a DUI checkpoint, allowing law enforcement to process drunk drivers quicker and return officers to patrol. In addition, it is hoped the presence of the trailer on the side of the road acts as a deterrent to drinking and driving.
The Blood Alcohol Trailer was paid for with a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Mississippi Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.