Drunken-Driving Test Machine Backers Renew Case

Associated Press
Published: December 14, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Backers of a portable breath-alcohol testing device are renewing their request for the state to spend $6.4 million to buy the machines. The state departments of Health and of Public Safety want the Ohio Controlling Board to approve the spending in Columbus at the board’s meeting Monday.

The panel approved the machines in November, and then agreed to reconsider the order after learning that several states have questioned the devices’ accuracy. Owensboro, Ky.-based CMI Inc. says its Intoxilyzer 8000 machine is being used in about 10 states and is reliable. In Arizona, a judge has ordered company and state officials to produce the software that runs the machines by Monday to help answer questions about alleged errors.

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