Field Impairment Tests
Discussion
Personally I think these are a very good idea.....(whatever the tests actually end up being).
I know there is lots of media backlash saying this will unduly affect old people etc...but frankly I couldn't give a toss. If you're in charge of a lethal moving motor-vehicle then you should be entirely able to control it - pissed or just old dont make a difference - at least not to the person you run over and kill.....
Im sure I'll start feeling differently when I get older, but I've always wanted the police to be able to stop people and just say "You're driving like a total muppet"
>> Edited by Nightmare on Thursday 29th July 12:05
I know there is lots of media backlash saying this will unduly affect old people etc...but frankly I couldn't give a toss. If you're in charge of a lethal moving motor-vehicle then you should be entirely able to control it - pissed or just old dont make a difference - at least not to the person you run over and kill.....
Im sure I'll start feeling differently when I get older, but I've always wanted the police to be able to stop people and just say "You're driving like a total muppet"
>> Edited by Nightmare on Thursday 29th July 12:05
Streetcop said:
These are the sobriety tests that have been used in the USA for years..
Well it looks like they will be coming in over here...for drug driving offences...
Stuff like holding your head back and touching your forefinger to your nose. Walking a straight line heel to toe etc...
Street
Hola SC.
I have mentioned this before but one of the tests I have seen is daft and may be un-doable.
Try this folks and tell us how long it took you to lose your balance.
Stand on one leg, throw your head back, close your eyes and touch your nose.
Now pick yerself up and explain how much you have had to drink or how much blow has passed up your nostrils.
Nightmare said:I totally agree Nightmare.
I know tehre is lots of media backlash saying this will unudly affect old people etc...but frankly I couldnt give a toss. If you're in charge of a lethal moving motorvehicle then you shoudl be entirely able tocontrol it - pissed or just old dont make a difference - at elast not to the person you run over and kill.....
Im sure I'll start feeling diferently when I get older, but I've always wanted the police to be able to stop people and just say "You're driving like a total muppet"
If old people are not in control through senility or whatever, they shouldn't be in charge of what is potentially a lethal weapon. PS I like old people.....I really do. Think they get a raw deal. esp those that have fought for this country. But driving.....thats a different matter
How would you prosecute in the instance of someone failing the test yet not being positive for drink or drugs though? Can you charge someone with driving whilst not having a very good sense of balance?
What happens if the car you stop is being driven by a paraplegic with hand controls? Granted, that's an extreme example, but in this day and age it would probably justify a court case and multi-million pound discrimination payout...
What happens if the car you stop is being driven by a paraplegic with hand controls? Granted, that's an extreme example, but in this day and age it would probably justify a court case and multi-million pound discrimination payout...
[rant]Or how about the stupid gameboy type tests?
I've never owned one, will never lower myself ever to play one, so how the hell can a BiB expect someone to understand one of these mentalprocess hindering so-called toys. Damn things should be banned......just need to ssee the types of scum who play them to realise they're almost as much a scurge of mankind as socialism......
[/rant]
I've never owned one, will never lower myself ever to play one, so how the hell can a BiB expect someone to understand one of these mentalprocess hindering so-called toys. Damn things should be banned......just need to ssee the types of scum who play them to realise they're almost as much a scurge of mankind as socialism......
[/rant]
g true. hornet said:
How would you prosecute in the instance of someone failing the test yet not being positive for drink or drugs though? Can you charge someone with driving whilst not having a very good sense of balance?
What happens if the car you stop is being driven by a paraplegic with hand controls? Granted, that's an extreme example, but in this day and age it would probably justify a court case and multi-million pound discrimination payout...
this is what I meant when I said "whatever the tests end up being"...sure, good balance is hardly a pre-requisite for driving but basic co-ordination is.
The gameboy tests should not, and have no need of being, biased towards games fanatics. They are suppsed to be a simple test of reaction times, awareness and accuracy...also fairly important factors when driving a car....
I think you should be able to stop them for "being unsafe to other road users, cause undetermined" (like a coroners verdict of 'accidental death' just meaning 'well he wasnt shot in the head')...being paraplegic is irrelevant..unless it makes them unable to drive safely in which case they should be taken off the road.
I'm a qualified "Field Impairment Tester", one of only about 20 in our force. Although I don't use these tests very often, I have used them on occasion.
There are a number of different tests, and they are designed to monitor different reactions, which in turn MAY indicate if the subject has taken a drug, and if so, what type.
They're not foolproof, but they help in Court as additional evidence. The result of the blood test is what carries the most weight though, as that will indicate the presence, or absence, of a drug.
Last one I did won the subject an 18 month ban for cocaine, temazepam and diazepam, with a little bit of booze thrown in for good measure.
>> Edited by Dibble on Friday 30th July 09:57
There are a number of different tests, and they are designed to monitor different reactions, which in turn MAY indicate if the subject has taken a drug, and if so, what type.
They're not foolproof, but they help in Court as additional evidence. The result of the blood test is what carries the most weight though, as that will indicate the presence, or absence, of a drug.
Last one I did won the subject an 18 month ban for cocaine, temazepam and diazepam, with a little bit of booze thrown in for good measure.
>> Edited by Dibble on Friday 30th July 09:57
I spent two years working with the Police Scientific Development Branch, and the Transport Research Laboratory in Bracknell developing a device that works on core stability and reaction times combined. To give an impartial pass or fail.
A scientific walk the line, device if you like. With a result beyond argument. The machine passed all the TRL tests on cannabis. Would have sold for less than £2k and was accurate reliable and gave a point of need pass or fail. Fail meant on to the station for a blood test, pass meant they were not imparied to effect driving. Could not be practiced or faked as each test was individual. No consumables, no ongoing costs, machine sat in the boot of the police car.
Eventually scrapped due to "low public interest"????
Two years work, down the drain.
Not happy.
Now laugh at them banging on about the impossibility of testing for all impairment. Yes they can it just costs them £2k to buy the machine, which they didn't do so they whinge instead. Now I sell them to the train driving, aircraft industry.
A scientific walk the line, device if you like. With a result beyond argument. The machine passed all the TRL tests on cannabis. Would have sold for less than £2k and was accurate reliable and gave a point of need pass or fail. Fail meant on to the station for a blood test, pass meant they were not imparied to effect driving. Could not be practiced or faked as each test was individual. No consumables, no ongoing costs, machine sat in the boot of the police car.
Eventually scrapped due to "low public interest"????
Two years work, down the drain.
Not happy.
Now laugh at them banging on about the impossibility of testing for all impairment. Yes they can it just costs them £2k to buy the machine, which they didn't do so they whinge instead. Now I sell them to the train driving, aircraft industry.
Nice easy solution for all - take up YOGA!
Available at any gym! For all ages! Keeps you supple! Even good for pregnant puss cats!
Involves standing on one leg pretending to be a tree!
or..
Standing one leg, one hand holding your nose and the other one reaching for your outstretched leg! With the teacher going: "Breathe dear, don't forget to breathe!"
There! Simple! Co-ordination and concentration tightening up, and does not even mean tree huggin' - cos you get to be the tree! ! And you do try not to fall over - cos you do not want to be the only wally in the class to fall over! Actually - it is good fun - you should all try it!
And best of all - it teaches you to "chill out and relax". Essential when driving!
But then again - you could always go to Switzerland and learn how to ski, speed skate and do those twiddly things on ice!
As for blood tests - one would hope test would include prescription drug tests as well as illegals. I know what I am on about on this!
That little label we put on the package and instructions about "operating machinery"? Means operating machinery as in "motor car!" as well! If in doubt - ask the chemist or your GP!
Available at any gym! For all ages! Keeps you supple! Even good for pregnant puss cats!
Involves standing on one leg pretending to be a tree!
or..
Standing one leg, one hand holding your nose and the other one reaching for your outstretched leg! With the teacher going: "Breathe dear, don't forget to breathe!"
There! Simple! Co-ordination and concentration tightening up, and does not even mean tree huggin' - cos you get to be the tree! ! And you do try not to fall over - cos you do not want to be the only wally in the class to fall over! Actually - it is good fun - you should all try it!
And best of all - it teaches you to "chill out and relax". Essential when driving!
But then again - you could always go to Switzerland and learn how to ski, speed skate and do those twiddly things on ice!
As for blood tests - one would hope test would include prescription drug tests as well as illegals. I know what I am on about on this!
That little label we put on the package and instructions about "operating machinery"? Means operating machinery as in "motor car!" as well!
If in doubt - ask the chemist or your GP!Personally I feel the "walk the line" and "finger on the nose" tyests are complete b*llox. I presume you can't be convicted on this alone but are in indication so its off to the cop shop for a blood test.
In NZ you will see cops using a device you say your name into. Takes 2 seconds.
In NZ you will see cops using a device you say your name into. Takes 2 seconds.
burwoodman said:Not if your name is:
In NZ you will see cops using a device you say your name into. Takes 2 seconds.
Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvin John Kenneth Lloyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Shermasn Thomas Uncas Victor William Xerxes Yancy Zeus Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorft Senior
Reputedly the longest officially registered name for a person in the world ... and, yes, he's an American!
Streaky
PS - I'm sure that Wild Cat will be able to translate, "Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorft" for us. Something about a wolf living on a stone mountain?
Why is it the world never remembered the name of Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfernschplendenschlittercrasscrenbonfrieddiggerdangledunglebursteinvonknackerthrasherapplebangerhorowitzticolensicgranderknottyspelltinklegrandlichgrumblemeyerspelterwasserkürstlichhimbleeisenbahnwagengutenabendbitteeinenürnburgerbratwustlegerspurtenmitzweimacheluberhundsfutgumberabershönendankerkalbsfleischmittlerraucher von Hautkopft of Ulm.
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