A DUI proposal allowing EMTs and paramedics to initiate blood tests upon someone arrested for a DUI passed thanks to the advocacy of Senator Tim Grandle of Ohio. According to Grandle, he championed this law in an effort to make it harder – or, at least, less likely – for Ohio residents to refuse a breathalyzer test when pulled over on suspicions of drunk driving.
However, the passing of this law hasn’t been entirely well-received. Brad Koffel continues to argue that the law puts unnecessary strain on Ohio’s first responders. He claims putting first responders on witness lists and requiring their presence during DUI arrests will put Ohio injury victims in even greater danger.
He also argues that “the threat of a blood draw won’t do anything to prevent the chemical dependencies” that Ohio residents suffer. He wants the law to focus more narrowly on a specific focus group.
At the moment, the law allegedly targets second offenders, but Koffel fears that officers may find loopholes that allow them to force blood tests on other offenders.
