13 November 2012
Online motoring resource Motortrades.co.uk
have revealed increasing support for the UK to replicate France by
introducing compulsory self-breathalyser tests, a new survey has revealed.
Earlier this year, our mainland neighbours made it compulsory for every
driver to carry a minimum of two personal breathalyser kits in their cars –
even if they never consume alcohol. The theory behind the move is that if a
driver has consumed alcohol, they can make sure they are not over the legal
limit before starting the engine. Those who are discovered not carrying the
kits with them while driving face a small fine. French officials hope that
the 4,000 road deaths of last year will be reduced to below 3,000 this.
Back in Blighty pro self-testing campaigners argue that if the same simple
system were introduced here it too could save hundreds of lives. In fact
Motortrades own research revealed that nine out of ten councillors would be
in favour of the idea.
But Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Head of Road
Safety Kevin Clinton differs: “We don’t think it would be a good idea
because we’re not convinced that these kits are useful. Our main concern is
that they may encourage some drivers to try to drink up to the limit and
drive instead of avoiding drinking at all, when they know they’re going to
be driving.”
Mr. Clinton continued “We don’t think they would help people to avoid drink
driving because there’s a danger it would have the opposite effect. We’re
also not convinced about how reliable or accurate the readings are. I
certainly wouldn’t want to risk my driving license on a three quid
blow-in-the bag device.”
While disposable breathalyser tests are very cheap, they can also be
inaccurate and pale in comparison with those used by police forces.
Ultimately, there is no safe limit when driving with alcohol in the system.
Mr Clinton described how if personal breathalysers were made compulsory, he
feared that police resources dedicated to tackling drink driving directly
could be diverted and instead used on making sure drivers have these kits -
resulting in a waste of time, money and lives.
RoSPA might support the introduction of breathalysers if it can be proven
the law works in France where drunk driving is in fact a larger problem.
He added: “I’d be surprised if it had anything like that effect but I
suspect it would also take much longer than a year to be sure about what is
happening and why. At the moment we don’t think there’s any evidence to
suggest that these kits are a good way of preventing drinking and driving.”
31-year-old car fanatic Severine, originally from France but has been living
in the Kent for over ten years, said: “It’s a win-win situation. Drivers do
not want to be caught over the limit or even intentionally hurt someone
though a drink-driving accident, so it benefits everyone and relieves
pressure on emergency services that are already pushed to their limits over
the winter period.”
THREE POSSIBLE STEPS TO TACKLE DRINK DRIVING
Step One
Reduce drink-driving limit to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood which is the
same as Europe – 30mg less than the current limit in the UK
Step Two
Give police powers to carry out random breath tests
Step Three
Increase levels of education and publicity about drink-driving
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