INTOXICATION TESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1940, Page 14

INTOXICATION TESTS

MORE ELABORATE IN UNITED STATES. COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS. Tests for intoxication in motorists are more extensive and elaborate in America than in New Zealand. More were recommended recently to the National Safety Congress by its committee on tests for intoxication, with a view to decreasing accidents caused by drunken drivers. The recommenda* tions read: —“Every intoxication examination should include questions asked at the scene by officers trained in the observance of objective symptoms of intoxication in order to rule out false defences.

“Chemical tests of body fluids or breath arc recommended in suspected cases. When alcohol in the blood is 15 per cent or below, the committee recommends prosecution only when the circumstances and physical examination substantiate the suspicion of intoxication. When lhe percentage is .05 or less the driver generally should not be prosecuted. A level of .15 or more is regarded as definite evidence that the driver is too drunk to operate a car.

“Specimens for chemical tests should be taken as soon as possible after the violation. A second specimen taken at a later time will provide convincing contrasting evidence in court. Specimens should be large enough to permit check tests by the defence.

"Testing apparatus should be available to every community. Enforcement departments should work with police surgeons, physicians, hospitals, departments of health and other technical persons to establish an arrangement for making tests and the presentation of expert testimony in court. The committee strongly recommends that court testimony on the meaning of the tests should be committed only to competent specialists. "Each State should consider adoption of legislation dealing with the use of chemical lest evidence. The new Indiana law is suggested as a model. "Educational and enforcement, methods should be directed al drinking pedestrians as well as at drinking drivers. Education information should be prepared to reveal to the public in a more specific manner the hazards of driving after drinking and to develop public support."