Fort Worth Drivers Stopped by Police, Asked for Saliva and Blood Samples

This needs to stop. Right now if not sooner.

Some drivers along a busy Fort Worth street on Friday were stopped at a police roadblock and directed into a parking lot, where they were asked by federal contractors for samples of their breath, saliva and even blood.

It was part of a government research study aimed at determining the number of drunken or drug-impaired drivers.

No one is saying that any of the drivers who were stopped showed any sign of intoxication. They were just pulled over and told to offer up their DNA.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is spending $7.9 million on the survey over three years, said participation was “100 percent voluntary” and anonymous.

But Cope said it didn’t feel voluntary to her — despite signs saying it was.

“I gestured to the guy in front that I just wanted to go straight, but he wouldn’t let me and forced me into a parking spot,” she said.

Once parked, she couldn’t believe what she was asked next.

“They were asking for cheek swabs,” she said. “They would give $10 for that. Also, if you let them take your blood, they would pay you $50 for that.”

—

Fort Worth police earlier said they could not immediately find any record of officer involvement but police spokesman Sgt. Kelly Peel said Tuesday that the department’s Traffic Division coordinated with the NHTSA on the use of off-duty officers after the agency asked for help with the survey.

“We are reviewing the actions of all police personnel involved to ensure that FWPD policies and procedures were followed,” he said. “We apologize if any of our drivers and citizens were offended or inconvenienced by the NHTSA National Roadside Survey.”

It’s cute how they denied knowing anything about it, then confirmed, “Oh, that? Yeah, that was us.” Using police made the whole thing feel not voluntary at all. Which was the point of using the police. Putting random guys out there in unmarked cars would have lacked authoritah.

This was done locally but the data ultimately goes to the federal government, which is paying for it. The feds need to cut this nonsense out. Right now.