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BIA goes after drunk driving on reservation roads
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Filed Under: Law | National

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is deploying four BATmobiles in Indian Country to keep drunk drivers off reservation roads.

The blood alcohol testing vehicles allow reservation law enforcement to measure alcohol levels, transport offenders and provide court-quality video of the testing process. Each BATmobile cost about $300,000.

“I am extremely proud and pleased that our Indian Highway Safety Program and Office of Justice Services have undertaken this important effort to help tribes protect Indian Country’s residents and visitors,” Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk said in a press release. “I am very grateful to the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Program for their support of our efforts to reduce injuries and save lives, especially during the upcoming holiday season"

The BATmobiles are being deployed in three BIA law enforcement districts. They will serve 77 tribes and over 580,000 people in seven states.

According to the BIA, 3,262 American Indians and Alaska Natives lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents between 2006 and 2006. Of those, 57 percent involved an alcohol impaired driver.

Get the Story:
EchoHawk unveils BATmobile units (The Salt Lake City Deseret News 11/18)

Related Stories:
BIA announces initiative to target drunk driving (11/9)

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