Riviera Maya, Q.R. — After a four year lapse in roadside screening, state officials say the breathalyzer will return to Quintana Roo. Julio César Gómez Torres, the Secretario de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) of the state says all 11 municipalities will participate this holiday season.
Gómez Torres says historically, it is during the month of December that there is an increase in alcoholic beverage consumption. He says the goal is to discourage alcohol consumption among drivers or to prevent those who consume alcohol from driving under the influence.
“This Christmas season we will implement the breathalyzer operation on different days and times. According to the analysis and capabilities, we have to cover the entire state,” he reported.
The head of the SCC says the roadside testing will consist of blowing into a device that measure the percentage of alcohol in a driver’s breath. That result provides an indicator of the degree of alcohol intoxication of the person.
He says the test is considered positive when the level of alcohol in the blood is higher than 0.8 grams per liter (g/lt) of blood or 0.4 milligrams per liter of exhaled air.
Gómez Torres commented that in the past, the testing was a form of corruption, however, this year, all tests will be given in the presence of personnel from the Comptroller’s Office of the State of Quintana Roo.
Gómez Torres says driving while intoxicated will result in an arrest, jail time and a fine as well as a towed vehicle.
