Police get new tool to convict drunk drivers

“Greater Sudbury Police received a new tool Monday to help convict people who drink and drive.

Action Sudbury, a non-profit organization created to eliminate the tragedies caused by impaired drivers in Greater Sudbury and surrounding area, donated a state-of-the-art calibration device to police that will ensure readings from their intoxilyzers – a machine that measures blood alcohol levels – can stand up in court.

The 12V500 Duplex Alcohol Simulator retails for $1,359 and delivers a known and precise amount of alcohol to the analyzer before each breath test.

That process lets police know the machine is working properly, said Greater Sudbury Police Const. John Coluzzi, and ensures any blood-alcohol readings it takes are as precise as possible.

With the new unit, Coluzzi said the Greater Sudbury Police Service now has five calibration devices it uses for its two intoxilyzers and the handheld devices police officers use to take breath samples when they’re out on patrol.

In addition to its pricey gift to police, Action Sudbury also presented a $1,000 cheque to Kim and Dean Hancock, the parents of DJ Hancock.

DJ, a hockey player with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves, was killed by a drunk driver Aug. 21, 2014, while driving on Highway 17.

The Hancocks will put the donation toward a splash pad they hope to build in DJ’s honour.
“I think it’s awesome. Action Sudbury are doing as much as they can for the drinking and driving campaign,” said DJ’s mother Kim.

The splash pad is expected to cost around $225,000 to build. Kim said they are around $40,000 away from having the funds necessary to begin construction.
She added if all goes well, they should break ground for the splash pad in the spring.”

Original article published at:
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/police-get-new-tool-to-convict-drunk-drivers-257731