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Posts Tagged ‘drunk driving’

Steering Wheels that Sense Alcohol Consumption

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Life is starting to mirror the Jetson’s more and more.  But maybe that’s not a bad thing.  I came across this article today, after hearing speculation of such advanced technology for the past few years.  It looks as if a Canadian company is going to attempt to market steering wheels that monitor alcohol directly, making traditional breathalyzer units quickly outdated.  Please read the content of the article below, or click here to visit the actual link.

A Canadian company, Sober Steering Sensors, is working on technology that makes use of chemical sensors built into steering wheels to detect the gas byproducts of alcohol through the skin of drivers. This transdermal technology, developed in conjunction with California-based Seacoast Science, has been garnering interest.

Sober Steering recently received $1.5 Million from the Ontario government’s Innovation Demonstration Fund to produce prototypes and test them later this year in about 200 fleet vehicles, such as transport trucks and buses.

Ignition interlock systems require drivers to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the car. If the breath test system registers alcohol above the legal limit, the vehicle will not start. Interlock devices have been criticized because they also require drivers to blow into the device after driving for a period of time, so drivers must be able to safely pull over and repeat the test when the machine tells them to. On the other hand, if drivers are tested through the steering wheel, all that would be needed when periodic re-testing is required is to keep their hands on the wheel.

Ignition interlock systems are also expensive, costing up to approximately $2,000 per vehicle, as opposed to an estimated $200 for the Sober Steering solution. Stay tuned for more information on this technology.

If this technology works properly, the impact that this device will have on impaired driving, and DUI convictions will be tremendous.  The current breathalyzer, that essentially “locks down” a vehicle until a sufficient breath alcohol sample is given has several flaws that this technology looks to correct.  The first is that a driver could have anyone blow into the unit for them to start the vehicle, the second, is that typically the unit has no way to detect if a person is drinking while they are driving.  This could mean that the driver would initially be able to pass the breath test to start their ignition, but if they started drinking a beer while driving, they would still be impaired and easily have found a “short cut” to their sober driving limitations.

I hope that this technology is embraced and that the cost is reduced to make this an affordable solution.  The less drunk drivers on the road is a better situation for us all.  The only question that I am left to ponder is . . . . what happens if you are wearing gloves?

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Posted in Impaired Driving, Interesting Facts | No Comments »

Random Breathalyzer Tests Considered for Canada

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

I came across this story a couple of weeks ago, and have found myself considering the possibilities more and more.  Since the story broke, the debate over this topic can been overwhelming.  Below is the original story found on CBC news.  You can view the original link here.  I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on such a controversial matter.  I for one think that implementing random alcohol testing is a good idea.  I am for any positive legislation that creates safer roads.  To even consider such legislation is a step in the right direction.

The federal justice minister is considering a new law that would allow police to conduct random breathalyzer tests on drivers, regardless of whether they suspect motorists have been drinking.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving says the federal government is considering adopting random breathalyzer testing, following the June 2009 recommendation of a House of Commons justice committee. (CBC)

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson raised the prospect recently at a meeting of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to MADD chief executive Andrew Murie.

If random testing were to be adopted, it would be a major change to Canada’s 40-year-old breathalyzer legislation, which stipulates that police may only administer a test if they suspect a driver has been drinking.

In June, a House of Commons parliamentary committee recommended changing the legislation to allow for random testing, arguing it is an effective deterrent.

The change would also bring Canada in line with a number of other countries in Europe and countries like Australia, which have adopted similar measures.

Murie said its biggest selling point is that it improves road safety, with drunk driving fatalities dropping 36 per cent in Australia after legislation was introduced, and 23 per cent in Ireland when it made the change.

Tests could infringe on civil liberties

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson introduced legislation in 2008 that compelled drivers stopped by police to take a roadside test, such as walking a straight line. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

“In the European Union, they demand that their countries, as part of membership for road safety, have sophisticated random breath testing because of the difference it’s made in lives saved,” he told CBC News.

Murie said the change would allow police at roadblocks to conduct about three times as many breathalyzer tests because they would not need to spend time determining whether there is “reasonable” suspicion a driver has been drinking.

The issue for civil libertarians, however, is that changing the law to allow random testing would be a violation of a person’s right to protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

“It has no real place in a democratic society,” said Richard Rosenberg of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.

“Giving police power to act on a whim is not something we want in an open democratic society.”

Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh, the former attorney general of British Columbia and a member of the House justice committee, said the question of whether any legislation would be allowable under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms would come down to implementation.

Constraints on police power needed: MP

“It remains to be seen what the actual legislation is when the minister brings it forward because we want to make sure that it’s appropriately constrained and it’s not too much of an infringement on civil liberties,” Dosanjh told CBC News.

Dosanjh said the charter does allow for constraints on rights when they are deemed reasonable, but said he would need to see how those constraints are implemented before judging any future legislation.

“For instance… I wouldn’t want the east side of Vancouver monitored more than the west side of Vancouver because there is a clear economic division in the city,” he said.

“We want to make sure that areas are not unnecessarily excessively focused on and that’s why I think that we need to make sure that the legislation is properly drafted with appropriate constraints and guidelines for the police,” he said.

But Dosanjh pointed out that driving is not a right itself, but rather a privilege subject to licences given by government authorities.

Nicholson could not be reached for comment.

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Posted in Alcohol Testing, Impaired Driving, Newsworthy | 1 Comment »

14 DUI Convictions, and Still Going!

Monday, August 17th, 2009

After reading an article from the Daily Times, talking about 51 year old Wilson Benally getting arrested for his 14th DUI , I am intrigued as to how anyone could get to this point.

To sum the article up, local police had found Benally in his vehicle, with an empty bottle of vodka, one half empty bottle of vodka, and an empty bottle of mouth wash. Benally was tested with a field sobriety test that he failed, and then blew over at .21 BAC on his breath alcohol screen. The police charged him with his 14th DUI and insisted that he did not get back in his vehicle and drive it. But why didn’t they take away his keys? Or bring him to jail? When someone has that many offences over their lifetime they obviously haven’t learned or taken to heart any treatment that may have been provided to them.

Laws need to be established which strictly enforce treatment programs for people charged with crimes related to substance use and or abuse.  As the above story indicated, public safety is at risk with current legislation.  It is the job of the police force to keep everyone in their jurisdiction safe, and letting someone get back into their motor vehicle after their first DUI, let alone their 14th DUI is far from safe.

It is obvious that the current penalties associated with impaired driving are no longer a deterrent.  Combined with the fact that most people do not believe that they will get caught if they are only going a short distance after having a few drinks.  Increased police presence on city streets and highways and heavier penalties may be the only measure left.  Governments and lobbyists have used education for 50 or so years to combat drunk driving, but recently the effects of this education have seemed to plateau.

It seems that when people know there are check stops out due to long weekends and holidays, they tend to make safer decisions on rides home. Because they know their chances of getting caught are increased. So should we go to this extreme and have check stops year round? And will that reduce the number of drunk drivers that get behind the wheel? Stronger actions like this need to come into effect so we don’t get to the point where police are handing out a 14th DUI charge.

Here are some statistics:

Percentages of drivers involved in serious injuries that were under the influence have fluctuated over the past 20 years.

The highest was in 1992, at 48%, but was down to 21% by 1995, and then rose again to36% in 2006.  In Alberta alone from 2007-2008 the instances of drunk driving collisions increased almost 20%.

There were 2889 people killed and 199,337 injured in road side crashes in  Canada in 2006 (the most recent year for which these statistics are available). And in 2008, Ontario taxpayers alone, forked out $64,096,115.00 for treating, healing and rehabilitating those who sustained injuries in crashes.

Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all traffic fatalities, and impaired driving is the leading cause of death in Canada. And remember, being impaired isn’t just about alcohol; it also includes drug abuse and fatigue.     Almost 1 in 5 fatal crashes were caused by a driver who fell asleep, due to fatigue.  How much do we have to drill these statistics into people’s heads before they realize that if they don’t take action they WILL become one of these statistics?

“It’s like Russian Roulette. One of these times you’re going to get caught. Hopefully it’s a police officer pulling you over, and not because you’ve crashed into somebody”, say Louise Knox from Bonnyville, who experienced 3 fatal crashes first hand within the past 10 years.

Right now it is not mandatory in Alberta to have a breathalyzer attached to your ignition until your second conviction. But why get a free ride the first time when we have technology that stops people from drinking and driving. Impaired drivers are not only a threat to themselves, but they are a hazard to society.

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Posted in Alcohol Testing, Drug Testing, Drug Testing Legislation, Impaired Driving, Interesting Facts, Newsworthy | 3 Comments »

Recent Surge in Drunk Driving in Alberta

Monday, July 27th, 2009

The incidents of drunk driving in Alberta has skyrocketed in 2009.  Earlier this week 3 people died in a traffic accident outside of Leduc on Highway 2A and the next day another 5 people, including 3 children, died in from a separate incident south of Calgary on Highway 810.  Alcohol is believed to be a factor in both incidents.  The fatalities occurred on the same day RCMP warned about an increase in drinking and driving. Leduc RCMP report that 103 drivers were charged with impaired driving in the first half of 2009. These initial numbers already match the total number of impaired driving charges for all of 2008.

In a one year period, drunk driving charges are up 50% in Leduc County!  What is going on?  Groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) work endlessly to prevent such incidents, there is finally a social stigma attached to drunk driving, penalties are in place for those who are caught, and the dangers of consuming alcohol and driving are widely known.  For years, the trend of drinking and driving has been going down and now it seems as if there has been resurgence.  Some argue that it’s the young kids out on the road who are being reckless, but according to Cst. Jodi Heidinger, “the age of those being charged ranges from 19 to 80 years old. . .. . . (with) more males than females being charged.”

The problem is not confined to the younger generation.  We can’t use the excuse that “they’re young, stupid and inexperienced.”  Charges are being laid across the board.  In fact, it seems as if drunk drivers are becoming even more reckless and arrogant than they have been in the past.  Most impaired drivers used to be caught in the evening or late at night, but Leduc police have noticed more and more impaired drivers out in the morning or early in the afternoon.  Cst. Heidinger commented on this saying, “”That’s been frustrating and concerning to us, responsible drinking is a responsibility at any time of the day, not just the evening.”

I couldn’t agree more.  Drinking and driving, at any time of the day, and at any age in completely unacceptable.  This week alone, 8 innocent people have died in Alberta.  What more can we do?  The message is out there, it’s just not getting through.  In the past, during times of economic recession, alcohol consumption seemed to increase, as did instances of drunk driving.  History seems to be repeating itself.  While this may give an explanation for the current phenomenon, it is not an excuse for such unacceptable behaviour.

Maybe people need a better motivation to stay sober if they are going to drive.  Currently penalties for drinking and driving are:

For a first offence: a minimum fine of $1,000.00, plus the victim fine surcharge; a minimum one-year driving prohibition. In some provinces (for example in Alberta), that period may be reduced to three months if you install an alcohol ignition interlock device.

For a second offence: a minimum jail sentence of 30 days; a minimum three-year driving prohibition.

For a third offence and subsequent offences: a minimum jail sentence of 120 days; a driving prohibition of at least three years; in some provinces, a lifetime suspension.

A $1000 fine and a 3month driving suspension does not seem adequate for a first offense.  It would not change your life very much.  $1000 out of your pocket, and having to get rides from friends for 3 months, is hardly teaching people a lesson.  Perhaps jail time even for a first time offense would be enough to scare people.

Looking at this same issue from the occupational side: imagine the liability a company has for an employee who drives while impaired and causes a collision, or even a death.  I think it’s time for companies to start taking alcohol testing a lot more seriously.

Alcohol testing for any employee who operates a company vehicle or any form of heavy equipment, should be tested for alcohol.  I would love to see companies implement alcohol ignition interlock devices on all company vehicles as well.  And finally, companies need to remove intoxicated employees from their safety sensitive positions immediately.  Contact SureHire if you would like to sign up for our online reasonable suspicion training course, so that you know how to recognize the signs of impairment on the workplace.

Drunk driving has become a serious concern, but the most that we can do as individuals, is to do our part.  Don’t drink and drive.  Call a Taxi.  Be Responsible.  Save a Life.

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Posted in Alcohol Testing, Interesting Facts, Newsworthy | 2 Comments »

Welcome to the Age of No-Refusal Weekends

Monday, May 25th, 2009

I just read an article that I found very surprising and disturbing.
Read it here.

The article re-counted an obscure practice in Dallas, Texas, coined “No-Refusal Weekend.”  The basic idea is that if a law enforcement officer suspects a driver of being impaired by alcohol they have the right to draw blood from them on-site.  The donor is not allowed to refuse.  The city of Dallas has been using this program during high risk weekends for one year, with surprising results.

“According to the police, 335 people have had their blood drawn during the handful of no-refusal weekends, and of the tests taken, all but five came back with results well over the legal blood alcohol level of .08 — and in most cases, they were closer to double the legal limit. . . . They also noted that not a single one of these blood test cases had gone before a jury. . . . all 51 cases that have thus far entered the legal system pleaded guilty before ever heading to trial.”

While I am happy that so many drunk drivers were removed from the roads, I have a nagging feeling that this is not the most appropriate way to do so.  Forcefully drawing blood from someone without a court order, or their consent seems highly questionable at the very least.  Whatever happened to the good ‘ol fashioned breathalyzer?  It is scientifically proven to been an accurate indicator of blood alcohol content, with no potential risk for spreading blood transmitted diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.  There is also the fact that drivers are not allowed to refuse.  There are always mitigating circumstances, where refusal may be justified.

Making the roads a safer place is a good thing, but infringing on basic rights and freedoms is unconstitutional and not necessary, especially with non-invasive methods readily available.  Apart from basic rights and freedoms, what sanitary precautions will be used, how are needles stored and disposed of, what type of chain of custody is in place to ensure that samples are properly cataloged, what type of training will law enforcement officials be given?  There are too man unanswered questions.

I am thankful to be a citizen of Canada, where I am confidant that the Charter of Right and Freedoms would not allow for such a cavalier attitude towards human rights.  But then again, if drivers would just learn their lesson and not drink and drive, the need for methods such as this would cease to exist.

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Posted in Alcohol Testing, Impaired Driving, Newsworthy | 2 Comments »