THE HOME OFFICE DREAMS WHILE TIRED DRIVERS REMAIN A SERIOUS PROBLEM
21 August 2005 - Safe Speed

Scotland on Sunday today reports that the Home Office are developing a technical road side impairment test for drivers. Safe Speed warns that technical systems are no substitute for Police observation of driver behaviour.

In particular, the Home Office appear to be claiming that their device under development will detect tired drivers. Safe Speed points out that tired driver road risks result mainly from actually nodding off behind the wheel. But when those blue lights come on tired drivers will suddenly find themselves wide awake and fully able to pass the test.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: ''We would welcome any genuine initiatives that would ensure that drivers are fit to drive, but the idea that a roadside test will be able to gauge driver sleepiness is quite absurd. The encounter with the Police alone will ensure that drivers are fully awake when tested. Obviously it''s the Home Office who are dreaming.''

''It may well be that the device under development will be able to measure drug induced impairment, and such a device could be very useful. But we are sick and tired of hearing wildly exaggerated claims for road safety technology. If we are to be efficient at saving lives on the road we need the very best information and the very best priorities. We''re nowhere near that at present because technology is being allowed to distract everyone from the vital underlying issues of driver skills, attitudes and responsibilities.''

www.safespeed.org.uk

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