No one wants a drunk driver on the road with them and the Mississippi Highway Patrol has a new device to help get drunk drivers off the road.
Commissioner Sean Tindell, of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MSDPS) announced last week the rollout for new Intoxilyzer 9000 machines across the state.
“We are excited about this rollout and eager to get these machines to agencies across the state,” said Tindell. “As technology continues to evolve, it’s our responsibility to provide law enforcement with the most current tools to maintain and enhance public safety.”
The Intoxilyzer 9000 will replace the Intoxilyzer 8000, which were purchased more than 20 years ago.
The I9000 is a modern infrared-based breath alcohol instrument designed for mobile or stationary use and will enhance performance, accuracy, precision and interferent detection. The process of acquiring the new equipment began in October 2023 and has continued to significantly progress.
Distribution and training through the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory for the Intoxilyzer 9000 is expected to begin next week, with 4-hour training blocks offered to law enforcement representatives statewide.
Currently, 82 Intoxilyzer 9000 units are ready to be deployed to law enforcement agencies across Mississippi, and MDPS anticipates securing an additional 150 units soon.
“Over the recent months, we have worked diligently for this launch, and we are very happy that our go-live days are upon us,” said Director of the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory Mary Jones Dukes. “I would like to personally thank everyone that supported this project.”
According to the FBI's 2022 Crime Data Report (compiled from reports made by 152 of 267 participating law enforcement agencies), arrests frequently made in Mississippi in 2022 were for drug abuse violations (8,069 arrests), followed by DUI (7,125 arrests), simple assault (4,478 arrests), and larceny (4,075 arrests).
