Discussion
There was a bit of news yesterday about "alco-locks". It stemmed from this DfT PR:
www.dft.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2004_0109
The idea is that an electronic breathalyser won't allow the car to be driven unless an alcohol-free breath sample is provided by the driver. I'd be delighted to see a reduction in impaired driving, but is this going to work?
It seems to me that it would be absolutely trivial to defeat and as such is little better than pointless. For example:
You could wire around it - with or without a hidden defeat switch.
You could use a plastic bag to blow into the thing - squash the bag and provide a clean air sample.
You could use an air bed inflator to blow into the thing, or even the output of a face level vent.
You could get someone else to blow into the thing.
You could leave the engine running.
You could drink after you had started the car.
You could drive someone else's car.
You could drive your other car.
So that's another useless road safety initiative then. Isn't it?
www.dft.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2004_0109
The idea is that an electronic breathalyser won't allow the car to be driven unless an alcohol-free breath sample is provided by the driver. I'd be delighted to see a reduction in impaired driving, but is this going to work?
It seems to me that it would be absolutely trivial to defeat and as such is little better than pointless. For example:
You could wire around it - with or without a hidden defeat switch.
You could use a plastic bag to blow into the thing - squash the bag and provide a clean air sample.
You could use an air bed inflator to blow into the thing, or even the output of a face level vent.
You could get someone else to blow into the thing.
You could leave the engine running.
You could drink after you had started the car.
You could drive someone else's car.
You could drive your other car.
So that's another useless road safety initiative then. Isn't it?
You mean speed cameras can't detect drunken drivers? I thought they were about safety, not revenue 
Surely a better suggestion would be the idea that M.G. had back in the early seventies with the SSV1. Prepared by the development team at Abingdon in 1972, to demonstrate that even small cars were capable of being modified for optimum safety this MGB GT-based car featured a wealth of innovative features, including airbags (which worked in combination with passive seat-belts), anti-lock brakes, self-levelling suspension, impact-absorbing side-panels, and a rather curious roof-mounted rearview mirror which afforded the driver a 120-degree field of vision.
The car was also equipped with a novel system designed to prevent tired, inebriated or otherwise incapacitated drivers from taking the wheel. Do you remember the electronic game called Simon, where players had to replicate a sequence of coloured lights by pressing buttons in the correct order? Well, that was precisely what the SSV1 driver would have to do in order to start the car. Get the (randomly generated) sequence wrong three times in a row, and he would have to wait an hour before being allowed to try again. While designed primarily as a safety device, this feature also doubled as a pretty effective immobiliser.
The car was also equipped with a novel system designed to prevent tired, inebriated or otherwise incapacitated drivers from taking the wheel. Do you remember the electronic game called Simon, where players had to replicate a sequence of coloured lights by pressing buttons in the correct order? Well, that was precisely what the SSV1 driver would have to do in order to start the car. Get the (randomly generated) sequence wrong three times in a row, and he would have to wait an hour before being allowed to try again. While designed primarily as a safety device, this feature also doubled as a pretty effective immobiliser.
I thought of a novel idea to reduce drink-driving recently which involved more traffic police on the roads combined with a serious possibility of actually being punished properly by the courts for the offence.
A kind of deterrent system if you like which could also be used to reduce TWOC'ing, car theft and general bad driving.
Didn't think it'd ever catch on so didn't pursue it any further...
A kind of deterrent system if you like which could also be used to reduce TWOC'ing, car theft and general bad driving.
Didn't think it'd ever catch on so didn't pursue it any further...
Paul, I generally agree with the majority of what you write however on this one I think it's not a bad idea. The system requires you to blow into it every 20 mins or so as well.
While there may be "workarounds" to it, I'm sure the majority would just accept it.
Sam as making smoking illegal, sure a fair amount would take it underground but in the main, 95% (I guess!) would just quit.
Just my 2p worth ...
While there may be "workarounds" to it, I'm sure the majority would just accept it.
Sam as making smoking illegal, sure a fair amount would take it underground but in the main, 95% (I guess!) would just quit.
Just my 2p worth ...
Was going to reply "what a crock of s**t" to this idea. However, on visiting the site, I see that it is only intended to be used on the vehicles of persons who have already been convicted of dd. In this context why not (though your reservations on ways to fiddle the system are justified)?
wiggy001 said:
I thought of a novel idea to reduce drink-driving recently which involved more traffic police on the roads combined with a serious possibility of actually being punished properly by the courts for the offence.
A kind of deterrent system if you like which could also be used to reduce TWOC'ing, car theft and general bad driving.
Didn't think it'd ever catch on so didn't pursue it any further...
wiggy001 said:
I thought of a novel idea to reduce drink-driving recently which involved more traffic police on the roads combined with a serious possibility of actually being punished properly by the courts for the offence.
A kind of deterrent system if you like which could also be used to reduce TWOC'ing, car theft and general bad driving.
Didn't think it'd ever catch on so didn't pursue it any further...
mad idea, how in hells name could that scheme ever make money, in fact it would cost a bomb!
Apache said:
I thought of a novel idea to reduce drink-driving recently which involved more traffic police on the roads combined with a serious possibility of actually being punished properly by the courts for the offence.
A kind of deterrent system if you like which could also be used to reduce TWOC'ing, car theft and general bad driving.
Didn't think it'd ever catch on so didn't pursue it any further...
mad idea, how in hells name could that scheme ever make money, in fact it would cost a bomb!
Especially seeing as to make their presence known you'd have to fit them out in a uniform, really nice dark colour would be good, with a bright yellow jacket maybe?? Then the cars would have to be kitted out with all sorts of stuff, hey what about flashing lights, blue ones would be nice, and fancy paintwork too.
Trouble is some people would drive vaguely acceptably near such cars and behave like total a-holes when they thought no-one was looking. Hmm you could fix that by driving round in plain cars, mmm Skoda Fabia VRS would be good for that.
Trouble is then you'd get some prat posting all the umarked cars idents on the internet.
Oh beggar it, cost far too much, I'm gonna put the kettle on.
Wiggy - you work for HM Inspector of Constabulary?
You will all be aware earlier this week Tories have ID'd that there is a black hole in Police Finance from HMG which will mean inevitable cut backs and cheaper options.
Now my information is that HMIC in a report with ideas on modernising the police service have suggested a "road-policing Assistant." They would have power to operate speed detection devices, stop vehicles and identify offences and deal, likewise with minor accidents. Best bit is that they suggest that they have the power to breathalyse a driver, which if positive, have power to detain and take him to a nearby Police Station to be dealt with by GUESS WHAT - a real Police officer.
Farcical? Consider there is already in existence Road Policing Highways civilians patrolling our Motorways, M6 round Brum started last April. We have Community Service Officers with limited powers so far but to be extended. We have civilian Case Preparation Officers, Statement Takers and Enquiry Officers. Further for every 2 Bibs there is a civilian engaged in admin tasks/Front Desk Officers.
BiBs, as older PH'ers remember, are being ripped to shreds and on their way to extinction like the DoDo to be replaced by a cheaper version (made in Taiwan) and electronic gadgetery.
Beware folks the future is only bright for the Burglars etc.
You lot happy with this or am I the only one with tears in my eyes.
DVD.
You will all be aware earlier this week Tories have ID'd that there is a black hole in Police Finance from HMG which will mean inevitable cut backs and cheaper options.
Now my information is that HMIC in a report with ideas on modernising the police service have suggested a "road-policing Assistant." They would have power to operate speed detection devices, stop vehicles and identify offences and deal, likewise with minor accidents. Best bit is that they suggest that they have the power to breathalyse a driver, which if positive, have power to detain and take him to a nearby Police Station to be dealt with by GUESS WHAT - a real Police officer.
Farcical? Consider there is already in existence Road Policing Highways civilians patrolling our Motorways, M6 round Brum started last April. We have Community Service Officers with limited powers so far but to be extended. We have civilian Case Preparation Officers, Statement Takers and Enquiry Officers. Further for every 2 Bibs there is a civilian engaged in admin tasks/Front Desk Officers.
BiBs, as older PH'ers remember, are being ripped to shreds and on their way to extinction like the DoDo to be replaced by a cheaper version (made in Taiwan) and electronic gadgetery.
Beware folks the future is only bright for the Burglars etc.
You lot happy with this or am I the only one with tears in my eyes.
DVD.
DVD said:
Consider there is already in existence Road Policing Highways civilians patrolling our Motorways, M6 round Brum started last April.
DVD, as you know this is my stamping ground, particularly M5/M42/M50 & M6 if I can't avoid it.
I have to say that when I see how these characters are performing, it is impossible to avoid noticing that their brand spankers Range Rovers and Shoguns seem to spend an awful lot of time at certain ...ahem... tea-spots.
Really trying to avoid sour grapes here but it is quite clear to me (and others) that if there isn't an incident then they just sit on their shiny arses. Fair enough that might be their remit.
Seems to me that the traffic units that have been redeployed and replaced by this mob would have been doing something far more useful in quiet times.
If anyone wants to see the shift in duties take a look at this page
www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/tcc/traf_off/03.htm
Trust me DVD, you ain't the only one with tears on the brink.
FiF
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