Case Studies

ONTARIO RACING COMMISSION

The Customer:

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is a Crown agency of the Ontario Government responsible for regulating the horse racing industry in Ontario. ORC oversees the integrity and safety of all 18 horse racing tracks across Ontario.

With millions of dollars in assets and horses capable of speeds of 50km/h, the safety of the horses and track personnel is of paramount importance. ORC needed a convenient, cost-effective method of Alcohol Testing anyone entering the track. The solution had to be consistent across the province while ensuring it could perform well under the dusty and wet conditions of a typical racetrack.

The ACS Solution:

ORC purchased 19 ALERT J5 breath alcohol testers – one for each track in Ontario, plus a spare. Everyone in a safety-sensitive position is tested for alcohol including jockeys, racing officials, paddock judges, inspectors, starting gate drivers and even veterinarians. Approximately 100 tests per event are conducted to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Jereme Locke of the ORC stated “We choose ACS because Customer Service is important and ACS has responded very well in developing a product that works in our unique and harsh conditions”.

ORC also purchased a suite of calibration hardware to ensure they can calibrate their equipment on-site with zero downtime. Now, jockeys, owners and fans can look forward to an exciting, and safe race!

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Florida departmentof highway & motor vehicles

The Customer:

The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) is responsible for making highways safe through service, education, and enforcement. Barbara Lauer, Bureau Chief of the Driver Education and DUI Programs, has been involved for more than 30 years in this challenge and led the implementation of a number of effective initiatives.

The Need:

Driver safety is the DHSMV’s number one priority. With close to 20 million registered vehicles on Florida’s roads, there is a need to reduce the risk of convicted drunk driving offenders from getting behind the wheel.

To send a strong message about Florida’s stance on this issue, new legislation was enacted on July 01, 2003 requiring selected, convicted DUI offenders to install an alcohol interlock device. The program needed to be state-wide and affordable with immediate implementation.

The ACS Solution:

ACS responded to Florida’s requirement with a full-scale offender alcohol interlock program.

With an alcohol interlock installed in the vehicle, the convicted DUI offender must provide a proper breath sample and pass the alcohol test before starting the vehicle. The alcohol interlock stores the data from each test and the use of the vehicle including any attempts to bypass the system. Actions in violation of the program require the driver to report to an interlock centre. The recorded data is stored on a central server and accessible to local authorities 24 hours a day. To further ensure compliance, the program is funded on a user-pay basis at an affordable monthly rate.

If there is a violation the offender is required to meet with an evaluator for a monitoring session. If there is a second violation the offender must meet at least monthly with the evaluator to discuss their continued substance abuse and driving.

Since Florida’s alcohol interlock program began in 2004, over 21,000 drivers have participated in the program, making the Sunshine State a recognized leader in highway safety.

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