BLOOD TESTS FOR DRIVERS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 12

BLOOD TESTS FOR DRIVERS

Introduction In N.Z. Advocated (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 30. If compulsory blood tests for drivers arrested on charges of drunken driving were introduced in New Zealand, the accident rate would be reduced almost overnight, said Professor E. F. D’Ath in an address to the Dunedin Road Safety Committee tonight. “The true" value of the test is shown in an analysis of the blood. If a man has 0.15 per cent, of alcohol in his blood, he cannot have possibly consumed less than seven whiskies or their equivalent. This is a figure which cannot be contested. He may have consumed a good deal more, possibly as many as 15,” he said. The test also served as a gauge to the truthfulness of the persons concerned. Most drivers arrested had never had more than “two pony beers,” according to them, said Dr. D’Ath, but if a man had an alcohol content of 0.15 per cent., he must have consumed about 6 pints of beer.

Because, however, of the different effect alcohol had on various persons, blood tests could only be considered conclusive when taken in conjunction with the outward symptoms of the person undergoing the test. System Overseas In many overseas countries, compulsory blood tests were laid down in the law, and if a person arrested had more than a certain alcohol content (the amount varied from country to country) he was not allowed to drive.

The big problem was, would such a system be acceptable in a country, like New Zealand, with a judicial system based on English common law, said Dr. D’Ath. There was the old question of “freedom of the individual.” “I cannot for a minute imagine the people of New Zealand standing for compulsory blood tests.” If the system was introduced, there were several problems which would have to be overcome.

There would have to be facilities at every police station for the taking of blood samples. There would have to be a great many more analysts available (at present there are only four in New Zealand, one in each of the main centres), and many more factors would have to be taken into account.

“If, however, facilities for blood tests were made available, most persons would probably undergo a voluntary test and submit to their blood being analysed,” said Dr. D’Ath. “But here again, many would agree to the test because they did not think they were drunk, only to have it proved that they were.”