'BAT-mobiles' will be looking for impaired drivers in North Carolina this summer

North Carolina officials will be employing a new tactic this summer to get impaired drivers off the roads. Motorists should be on the lookout for BAT-mobiles cruising their local streets.

The BAT-mobile is the nickname that's been given to mobile Breath Alcohol Testing Units, which are being used by local law enforcement agencies to crack down on those driving under the influence. 

The units are part of the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program, which has provided funding to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to operate seven units statewide.

The bus-size BAT-mobiles are fully equipped as testing and processing centers. They even have office space to house magistrates, expediting the enforcement process.

Bryon Varnell is the program's assistant state coordinator.

He says that in addition to being used for enforcement, BAT-mobiles are employed at many educational events.

"Fairs, festivals, we go to a lot of high schools and driver's ed classes, around prom season we do a lot of mock crash events at high schools, talking with young adults and teens about the dangers of impairment — not only driving but riding with someone," says Varnell. 

Varnell says that North Carolina is losing about 500 people a year to impaired driving deaths.