DWI Scanners

By Drew Scott

Nassau police told me they have a new tool in their war on drunk drivers. It's the license plate scanner mounted on the top of many highway patrol cars.

It's a story that my News 12 colleagues Lauren Sivan and Doug Geed have told you about in the past, but what's really new is the county is merging into the scanner computer database the names and automobile registrations of repeat DWI offenders.

Already, some circles are crying foul. Former assistant district attorney Felice Muraca, now a trial attorney, granted me an interview saying he believes stopping drivers just because the scanner said they were a prior offender, could be unconstitutional.

"Just to stop a vehicle because it's on a list isn't probable cause. That's against New York state law, what if a relative or a friend is driving the vehicle?"

Nassau police insist the scanner is used simply to identify and observe a suspected vehicle, and is a great way to ensure the safety of the public. After all, Triple-A says July 3rd and 4th are the most dangerous days of the year to drive!