Monday, 19. January 2015
After finally giving ‘drugalysers’ Home Office approval the police will begin roadside drug tests this year across England and Wales in order to crack down on drug driving.
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In future drivers won’t know whether they are to be given a drug test, be breathalysed or subjected to both when stopped by the police. The ‘drugalysers’ will analyse a saliva sample immediately for cannabis and cocaine. The downside is that the equipment cannot detect legal highs at the moment but future versions are expected to be able to detect a wide range of drugs, both legal and illegal.
At the moment if a police officer suspects that a driver is driving whilst under the influence of drugs they must arrest them, take them to the station in order to undergo time-consuming blood tests that must be carried out under medical supervision. Once in the police station the driver can argue that they are unable to give blood for medical reasons or religious beliefs.
All the time the drugs are leaving their system. The new equipment eliminates all this and provides an immediate reading. The kits will support the new drug offence coming into force in March but they are about to be used immediately by various police forces across the UK.
Policing Minister Mike Pennings said that most motorists have the same view about drug driving as they do about drink driving. He stated, ‘The Government is determined to drive the menace from our roads. Those who take the wheel while under the influence of drugs put their own lives at risk plus those of innocent motorists and their passengers.’ By Graham Hill
Thursday, 3. April 2014
I was shocked to hear on Radio 5 Live that there is no-one responsible for advising drivers of high sided vehicles when it is safe or unsafe to drive in high winds.
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Drivers of trucks explained that during the recent high winds there was no agency responsible for stopping them from driving, in fact under pressure from their employers, drivers found themselves driving in highly dangerous conditions. Whilst employers said that they left it to the drivers to assess whether it was dangerous the drivers themselves admitted to driving in treacherous conditions for fear of losing their jobs.
They also admitted to being blown into the middle lane of motorways causing problems for car drivers. One driver explained that there was no legislation, nor were any warnings posted on the motorway warning Matrix signs warning of the dangers. As a result of this Auto Express decided to carry out an investigation to see who is responsible and why it doesn’t seem to be working.
They first spoke to the Highways Agency who denied responsibility and referred them to the Department for Transport for ‘any legislation that exists on this’. Passing the buck the DfT suggested that as this was health and safety in the workplace that it must surely be the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.
They, in turn, said it wasn’t a matter for them, go to the DfT or the Department of Business Innovation and Skill (BIS). What? Having already tried the DfT without success they moved on to BIS who suggested that they try the DfT who could contact the Highways Agency or one of their partners. So there you have it – bloody useless.
So whilst the drivers of high sided vehicles dice with death make sure that when it is windy you don’t travel too close to the side of a truck or you might find yourself sharing the cab with the driver or more seriously involved in a very nasty accident. By Graham Hill
Friday, 7. February 2014
Bits & Pieces: Ageism still exists it would seem! Insurance companies can still turn you down for insurance based on your age and this happened to over 100,000 last year. However, to help the elderly keep mobile the Government introduced a scheme that meant that if an insurance company would not provide cover due to age they must refer the driver to an insurer who will and apparently it worked as they are all happily still driving. Stop complaining about old drivers – you’ll be there one day!
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For those who enjoy the occasional spliff then jump into their car and weave their way home in the belief that they won’t get ‘done’, think again as the Government has announced an investment of £120,000 for cannabis screening devices to be installed into police stations in an effort to tackle drug driving. It is estimated that drug driving is responsible for 200 deaths on the road each year – no laughing matter.
On the earlier subject of age there are now over a million drivers on UK roads aged over 80 and amazingly there are 195 aged over 100. The Institute of Advanced Motorists added that older drivers are actually safer with fewer, in terms of percentage, having points on their licences. By Graham Hill
