Four U.S. Senators called the software “harmful to public safety,” but the maker of the app insists what they’re doing is legal.

Every year more than 10,000 Americans die in a drunk driving crash. It’s the reason Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and three others are asking software vendors like Apple, Google and the maker of Blackberry to stop selling apps that tell drivers where law enforcement will be watching for impaired drivers.

At the center of the storm is the app “Phantom Alert”, which can be downloaded to a phone or GPS device.

The app’s maker Joe Scott is livid. He said at the senators’ request, Blackberry abruptly pulled their app Friday, leaving drivers who paid for the software without it. Scott insists their app is a legal, public service.

“It helps you avoid traffic tickets by helping you obey traffic laws,” he said. “Who can be against that?”

Phantom Alert contacts law enforcement all around the country to learn where officers will be watching for speeders and drunk drivers. Even their users can share hotspots with other users. But because the app warns drivers of an approaching DUI emphasis patrol, lawmakers argue that helps drunks evade law enforcement and puts us all at risk.

But the State Patrol doesn’t see it that way.

“This is just an added tool to help them in their decision making to make a better choice not to get behind the wheel of a car after they drink and to slow down on the roadway,” said Trooper J.J. Gundermann

Scott adds: “We are intimidating them and deterring them from driving.”

Even though Blackberry maker Research in Motion pulled their app, Google told Phantom Alert they will not follow suit.

If you’ve recently been charged with DUI or a related crime in Sarasota or a nearby area, it’s important you act quickly if you’d like to fight the charge. For a free legal consultation with a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm, call 941-916-3627 now. Are so phones are answered around-the-clock 365 days a year, so we are always prepared to aggressively defend you.

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The traffic stop will be in place from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 till 3 a.m. New Year’s Day.

Sarasota County saw 12 deaths from crashes involving alcohol in 2009, according to FHP.

Although it’s suggested these checkpoints save lives, they’re also unconstitutional. Did you know they randomly select each car they stop? We, at Musca Law, publish these because you have the right to know where you could be stopped due to a bad roll of the dice.

Charged with DUI in Sarasota County?

If you’ve already been charged with DUI, chances are you can beat the case. Police, lab-techs and prosecutors all make mistakes that we can exploit. To learn how you might be able to beat your case, contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm now.

Free Consultation: 941-916-3627

The central focus of this checkpoint will be the apprehension of impaired drivers.

The Goals for this checkpoint are:

Deter DUI; thereby reducing the death, injury and property damage caused by alcohol and drug impaired drivers.

Intercept currently impaired drivers before a traffic crash occurs.

Conduct the checkpoint with a minimal amount of intrusion and motorist inconvenience.

Ensure the safety of the motorists and officers

Preliminary data indicates that there were 11 alcohol related crashes in Sarasota County during 2009. These crashes have resulted in 12 fatalities. Driving Under the Influence is a crime and these deaths were preventable. The law enforcement community in Sarasota County takes this crime seriously and has a zero tolerance policy for impaired drivers.

Have you been charged with a crime in Sarasota? If so, the criminal defense attorneys at Musca Law may be able to help. However, time is of essence with DUI and criminal cases. Call 941-916-3627 ASAP to schedule your free and confidential consultation.

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Friday night, the location was Bay Island Park, in the 1000 block of Siesta Drive, and early Saturday morning, the location was Stickney Point Road at Avenue A.

During the operation, there were 10 DUI arrests, including one offender for whom this was his fourth DUI. There were nine other arrests on numerous charges, including drug possession, possession of alcohol by a minor and driving with a suspended license. There were also 104 traffic citations issued for various violations.

“To remove ten impaired drivers from Sarasota County roads over the holiday weekend made all citizens safer,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Residents of Siesta Key previously requested a checkpoint and it obviously made an impact, not only on those arrested but the hundreds of other drivers and passengers that passed through the operation.

“It is important for all drivers to remember that traffic enforcement is 24/7 for this agency, so even when there is no checkpoint, we’re watching for these violations.”

Other agencies participating in this operation included the Florida Highway Patrol, North Port Police Department and Venice Police Department.

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“Impaired drivers kill, plain and simple,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “This is a serious threat to the safety of Sarasota County residents, so we are committed to keeping drivers that are under the influence off our roads.”

Driving drunk is undoubtedly dangerous, but constitutional rights are a very important thing. Many times arrest orignating at these checkpoints can be proven unconstitutional, but the suspect doesn’t know enough about Florida laws to prove it. My point being if you have been arrested at a DUI/sobriety checkpoint in Sarasota or elsewhere in Florida you would be well advised to contact a Florida DUI attorney to go over your case.

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