BAG TEST HELPS KEEP DRIVERS SOBER
THE EFFECTS OF THE ROAD SAFETY ACT OF 1967 IN GREAT BRITAIN ARE DISCUSSED. THE ACT BECAME EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 9, AND BEFORE THE END OF DECEMBER, BRITISH STATISTICIANS HAD RECORDED A STARTLING DROP IN CRASHES RESULTING IN DEATHS AND INJURIES. CONSTABLES ARE AUTHORIZED TO GIVE THE BAG TEST TO DRIVERS SUSPECTED OF HAVING DRUNK TOO MUCH. A DRIVER WHO FAILS THIS TEST MUST ACCOMPANY THE CONSTABLE TO A POLICE STATION WHERE HE IS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A SECOND TEST. IF HE IS CONVICTED OF THE CHARGE HE IS DISQUALIFIED AS A DRIVER FOR A YEAR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN $240 AND/OR A JAIL TERM OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS. THIS ACT HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DRINKING HABITS OF SOME 17 MILLION LICENSED DRIVERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES AND DEATHS DECREASED BY 22% DURING THE FIVE-MONTH PERIOD FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ROAD SAFETY ACT. OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCIDENT INCIDENTS IN GREAT BRITAIN ARE MENTIONED AND INCLUDE: CHANGES IN TRAFFIC CONTROLS, NEW TIRE REGULATION LAW, THE NUMBER OF TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAYS, TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES AND VEHICLE INSPECTION REGULATIONS.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 35, No 11, PP 38-46, 1 FIG, 2 PHOT
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Authors:
- Bennett, R O
- Westwick, E H
- Publication Date: 1968-11
Media Info
- Serial:
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Crash severity; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Highway safety; Injuries; Inspection; Motor vehicles; Prevention; Safety; Testing; Traffic control; Traffic law enforcement
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00220396
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Mar 15 1971 12:00AM