BAT Mobile Brings Alcohol, Drug Testing To The Streets

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DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver have a new weapon when it comes to fighting back against drunk drivers-- the BAT mobile.

BAT stands for Breath Alcohol Testing and the mobile unit hit the streets just in time for Halloween. The van provides on-the-spot alcohol and drug testing on the streets. The van is equipped with two intoxilyzers that measure breath alcohol content. There's also a specialized work station for blood draws to test for drugs.

The Intoxilyzer on board the BAT mobile (credit: CBS)

If necessary, there is a secure area where suspects can be temporarily detained.

Halloween weekend is typically a busy time for Denver police. In the past three years, offices have made at least 50 DUI arrests in the city.

The van is also safer, instead of conducting DUI checks on the side of a busy road, officers can bring suspects inside the van.

"Since we're already in the downtown area, we drive them right to the van, we do all our processing right here, we have the sheriff's vehicle that will come up and pick up the individuals after they've been processed and need to be taken jail or to detox for us," said Denver Police Lt. Robert Garcia.

The BAT mobile cost $300,000 and was paid for with federal grant money.

(credit: CBS)