PAS Flashlight - Loudoun Sheriff's Deputies have a new tool in their hands to help combat drunk driving thanks to a donation from the local chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

On Saturday August 19, 2006, members of the media were invited to attend the presentation of 10 Passive Alcohol Sensor (PAS) flashlights from members of Loudoun MADD to the Sheriff's Office. The flashlights will be used at upcoming checkpoints to assist deputies in detecting alcohol. According to reports this technology increases the detection of suspected drunk drivers by about 50 percent at checkpoints and about 10 percent during routine traffic stops.

The presentation of the PAS flashlights took place at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy. The media was also invited to attend a DUI checkpoint (11PM - 3 AM) to be held in Eastern Loudoun County. At the DUI checkpoint members of the media were able to see firsthand the only Mobile Alcohol Testing Unit (MATU) in the state of Virginia. The MATU is a converted recreational vehicle that the Sheriff's Office outfitted with an intoxilyzer to test suspected drunk drivers blood alcohol levels at the scene of checkpoints.

The presentation kicked off the National Impaired Driving Law Enforcement Crackdown which began August 18th and continued through Labor Day weekend. This year's campaign- Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest- used highly visible enforcement including checkpoints and saturation patrols.

If you are interested in assisting at a checkpoint please contact Loudoun Sheriff's Public Information Officer Kraig Troxell or email at maddloudoun@aol.com or 703-771-8127. For questions contact Susan Cleveland at 703-470-1053