• 13
  • September
    2011

When it comes to DUI/DWAI, most people probably think of the laws in their respective states, DUI checkpoints, and the equipment involved in drunk driving arrests/convictions, such as breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices.

As it turns out, there is actually a rather unique historical aspect to drunk driving that most people know relatively little about. In fact, last Saturday marked the 114th anniversary of the very first DUI arrest.

While a complete historical inquiry is clearly beyond the scope of this blog post, it is still interesting to take a brief look at some of the key legal milestones in the area of drunk driving.

The first drunk driving arrest

As mentioned above, the first DUI arrest occurred 114 years ago, on September 10, 1897, in London, England. George Smith, a 25-year-old taxi driver, was arrested by law enforcement officials after crashing his vehicle into a building. He later pleaded guilty and paid the fine of 25 shillings.

The first U.S. drunk driving law

The first laws in the United States prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol were enacted in the state of New York back in 1910.

The first alcohol detection system

The very first alcohol detection system was created way back in 1936 by a toxicology and biochemistry professor named Dr. Rolla Harger. His device - known as the Drunkometer - consisted of a balloon-style machine into which people would breathe/blow to determine whether they were under the influence.

The first breathalyzer

Somewhat surprisingly, the first breathalyzer was made in 1953 by Robert Borkenstein, a former police chief and professor who helped Dr. Harger with the creation of the Drunkometer. The device - still in use to this day - proved to be far more accurate and far more practical for law enforcement officials to detect drunk drivers.

Stay tuned for updates from our Denver DUI/DWAI blog ...

Remember, mistakes happen. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, it is extremely important to speak with an experienced Colorado attorney.

This post is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Sources:

The History Channel "First drunk driving arrest" Sept. 10, 2011