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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNorth Texas Drivers Stopped at Roadblock Asked for Saliva, Blood
Some drivers along a busy Fort Worth street on Friday were stopped at a police roadblock and directed into a parking lot, where they were asked by federal contractors for samples of their breath, saliva and even blood.
It was part of a government research study aimed at determining the number of drunken or drug-impaired drivers.
"It just doesn't seem right that you can be forced off the road when you're not doing anything wrong," said Kim Cope, who said she was on her lunch break when she was forced to pull over at the roadblock on Beach Street in North Fort Worth.
...
NBC DFW confirmed that the survey was done by a government contractor, the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, which is based in Calverton, Md.
A company spokeswoman referred questions to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
An agency spokeswoman sent an email confirming the government is conducting the surveys in 30 cities across the country in an effort to reduce impaired-driving accidents.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/North-Texas-Drivers-Stopped-at-Roadblock-Asked-for-Saliva-Blood-232438621.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DFWBrand&utm_content=buffer87aa1&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer
MADem
(135,425 posts)"I gestured to the guy in front that I just wanted to go straight, but he wouldn't let me and forced me into a parking spot," she said.
Once parked, she couldn't believe what she was asked next.
"They were asking for cheek swabs," she said. "They would give $10 for that. Also, if you let them take your blood, they would pay you $50 for that."
At the very least, she said, they wanted to test her breath for alcohol.
She said she felt trapped.
"I finally did the Breathalyzer test just because I thought that would be the easiest way to leave," she said, adding she received no money.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)and then just spit at the contractor ?
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)driving is legally a privilege, not a right, so they can pull you over for no reason. And they not only got grants to pay the cops OT, but made a ton of money from inspection tickets and such.
Random searches without cause, however, are another story and I don't know if this is considered a search, or if it's legal at all if not done by a cop or other gummint employee. And, can just anyone stop traffic for a "survey"?
Since cops were apparently not involved and names were not taken, no tickets or arrests should have happened, and it's more of an inconvenience than a huge constitutional issue. Except for the blood, though-- that and the saliva sound like an invasion. And if it's voluntary, how many drunks or druggies will consent to make the study valid?
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)moxybug
(35 posts)I wonder what it will take for people in this country to rise up. This women was intimidated into submitting to a breathalyzer during her lunch hour, in America the "land of the free". If that doesn't get every Americans blood boiling then I don't know what will.
Then we get a post detailing how driving is a privilege and how we all get pulled over at roadblocks ALL the time. Nothing to see here NO siree give some blood and urine and move along.
Funny that I'm 45 years old and never once have I been stopped at a roadblock for any reason, but they happen ALL THE TIME hey.
Or so I've been told.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)And welcome to DU!
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)[img][/img]
I've been driving since before you were born. Traffic stops happen every day where I live but blood and urine samples are-not/have-never-been part of the process.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)that would be a "go fuck yourself" moment.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)How depressing that people don't know a warrant is needed for something like this. Just refuse to give over anything and drive away - after recording it on your phone. THEN write down the story and send it to every news outlet you can think of.
exboyfil
(17,865 posts)If you had been drinking you would refuse the payment. If you had not you might still refuse depending on your financial condition.
Whoever approved this should be fired immediately (probably going all the way up to the Sec of Transportation -
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)RagAss
(13,832 posts)Would they like that? Would that be ok?