(NEWS CENTER) -- New sophisticated equipment will be making its debut at state OUI checkpoints.
An impaired driver roadside testing vehicle will allow officers to perform breath alcohol tests on site during traffic safety checks.
There is also to a large space for drug recognition enforcement officers to more easily identify drug-related impairments in drivers.
Officials say the truck will be available for use by all Maine's police departments, and is being used for the first time tonight in Kennebec County.
The Maine bureau of highway safety reports 34% of Maine's highway deaths are as a result of drunk and drugged drivers.
"(It is) kind of a force multiplier. The intoxilyzer is on-scene, the DRE's are on-scene. The officer does his intoxilyzer, comes back out, he's back on the road in half an hour."
Police also believe this new tool will those impaired drivers off the streets faster.