Pointless Drink/Drive testing
Discussion
N Wales please breathalyzed more than 13,000 drivers in the run up to Christmas ( see - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30643529) and arrested 60; of the people tested 0.000046% were arrested.
The N Wales Police themselves state; "Since December 1st the Force have [sic] carried out 10,835 breath tests across the region with 45 of those being positive* equating to 0.4%. Four have also been arrested for drug-driving." (*figures correct from 1/12/14 until 21/12.)
Do the 45 over-the-limit results justify the 10,795 roadside breath tests of the other drivers?
The N Wales Police themselves state; "Since December 1st the Force have [sic] carried out 10,835 breath tests across the region with 45 of those being positive* equating to 0.4%. Four have also been arrested for drug-driving." (*figures correct from 1/12/14 until 21/12.)
Do the 45 over-the-limit results justify the 10,795 roadside breath tests of the other drivers?
Chris944 said:
N Wales please breathalyzed more than 13,000 drivers in the run up to Christmas ( see - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30643529 ) and arrested 60; of the people tested 0.000046% were arrested
I presume a drunk calculated the percentage. I'm happy for them to stop as many people as they like, in order to catch some drunk drivers.
Don't like the term "Drunk" drivers personally, one mm of what ever over does really mean your "Drunk".
I am sure some motorists are well over the legal limit, and may be involved in driving incidents, but does it really warrant the amount of attention it is getting.
I am not saying it's not a crime, speeding is a crime, smoking in restaurants is a crime.
I am sure some motorists are well over the legal limit, and may be involved in driving incidents, but does it really warrant the amount of attention it is getting.
I am not saying it's not a crime, speeding is a crime, smoking in restaurants is a crime.
Drink driving has significantly reduced compared to a generation ago. I somehow doubt it's because everybody has suddenly decided themselves it's a bad idea - far more likely that the drink driving adverts, random breath testing etc have had an effect over the years and have made it unacceptable. Stop bothering with all that and I'd not be surprised to see it start increasing again - low results prove it's working not that it's a waste of resource.
Although there is obviously no calculation to allow direct comparison, I'd suggest that driving over the limit with the very real potential to kill one or more people is just as serious as some 'real' crime. I'm quite sure that people who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers rate it more serious than catching somebody who breaks into houses.
Although there is obviously no calculation to allow direct comparison, I'd suggest that driving over the limit with the very real potential to kill one or more people is just as serious as some 'real' crime. I'm quite sure that people who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers rate it more serious than catching somebody who breaks into houses.
davek_964 said:
Drink driving has significantly reduced compared to a generation ago. I somehow doubt it's because everybody has suddenly decided themselves it's a bad idea - far more likely that the drink driving adverts, random breath testing etc have had an effect over the years and have made it unacceptable.
I'd love that to be the case, however having been at the sharp end of the decline in the pub trade over the last generation, I'd say its largely due to the fact that its cheaper to get your beer in at the Supermarket and stay in and drink it. I have a lot of hands on knowledge of drink driving (except actually doing it!)
Personally speaking, the general 'inconvenience' of testing many is worth it to catch even a couple of the selfish, dangerous individuals who decide to drink drive.
And be in no doubt, you can't accidentally drink drive. The amount required in reality to actually get over the limit would leave you in no doubt you are not fit to drive. You simply make the decision not to care when getting behind the wheel.
Anyone who says they only had a 'couple' of drinks and were unlucky because they missed breakfast or something like that are simply liars.
Perhaps even seeing one innocent person or the drink driver who caused the accident clinging onto their life or already dead and in a mess, or having to knock on a door to tell the relative their love one is dead would maybe make the small inconvience less bothersome for you.
The mass testing method does get results but it works as a deterrent mainly.
Personally speaking, the general 'inconvenience' of testing many is worth it to catch even a couple of the selfish, dangerous individuals who decide to drink drive.
And be in no doubt, you can't accidentally drink drive. The amount required in reality to actually get over the limit would leave you in no doubt you are not fit to drive. You simply make the decision not to care when getting behind the wheel.
Anyone who says they only had a 'couple' of drinks and were unlucky because they missed breakfast or something like that are simply liars.
Perhaps even seeing one innocent person or the drink driver who caused the accident clinging onto their life or already dead and in a mess, or having to knock on a door to tell the relative their love one is dead would maybe make the small inconvience less bothersome for you.
The mass testing method does get results but it works as a deterrent mainly.
How many police officers are actually in North Wales? 10,000 sounds like a big number,but is it really that drastic given the size of North Wales and the amount of officers?
Aren't all drivers tested when stopped for any other motoring offences?
So how many were actually randomly tested, or suspected drink driving and how many were tested as procedure for other offences?
Aren't all drivers tested when stopped for any other motoring offences?
So how many were actually randomly tested, or suspected drink driving and how many were tested as procedure for other offences?
Odd as I was thinking about this when I went out for a drive on NYD, (I don't drink so would not bother me in the slightest to be breathalyzed), I don't think its a pointless exercise, ok the numbers are low that get caught, so something is working.
Cost wise I cant think it would be that expensive to set up and stop, 2 or 3 police persons 2 cars - supply of the blow in straws etc.
I would like to see the police do more about drug driving / mobile phone users
Cost wise I cant think it would be that expensive to set up and stop, 2 or 3 police persons 2 cars - supply of the blow in straws etc.
I would like to see the police do more about drug driving / mobile phone users
Back when I was a pizza deliverer I would be 'randomly selected for seasonal breath testing' at least 3-4 times in the weeks leading upto Christmas.
I didn't mind - I drink nowt so no danger and one idiot caught is worth 100 tested etc. - but on one occasion I had £50's worth of hot food in the van when I was stopped so when he said it was a 'voluntary random check' I highlighted that it wasn't a great time and offered to take the test on my return instead.
He'd said it was voluntary but my highlighting potentially wasting £50 of food seemed to upset PC
stick who decides to be a asshole spending 20 mins going over the van, rechecking the MID and calling the shop to ensure they knew I was driving their van (no really)
Northumbria Police - doing their best to fk-off the public as ever - I now refuse all 'voluntary' testing, roadside surveys are shredded and binned - fk em.
I didn't mind - I drink nowt so no danger and one idiot caught is worth 100 tested etc. - but on one occasion I had £50's worth of hot food in the van when I was stopped so when he said it was a 'voluntary random check' I highlighted that it wasn't a great time and offered to take the test on my return instead.
He'd said it was voluntary but my highlighting potentially wasting £50 of food seemed to upset PC
stick who decides to be a asshole spending 20 mins going over the van, rechecking the MID and calling the shop to ensure they knew I was driving their van (no really)Northumbria Police - doing their best to f
k-off the public as ever - I now refuse all 'voluntary' testing, roadside surveys are shredded and binned - fk em.
Chris944 said:
N Wales please breathalyzed more than 13,000 drivers in the run up to Christmas ( see - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30643529) and arrested 60; of the people tested 0.000046% were arrested.
The N Wales Police themselves state; "Since December 1st the Force have [sic] carried out 10,835 breath tests across the region with 45 of those being positive* equating to 0.4%. Four have also been arrested for drug-driving." (*figures correct from 1/12/14 until 21/12.)
Do the 45 over-the-limit results justify the 10,795 roadside breath tests of the other drivers?
I would suggest that the value of the random 13,000 negative tests is a preventative measure, in that it might prevent those drivers from drink driving if they know that random tests are being carried out. The N Wales Police themselves state; "Since December 1st the Force have [sic] carried out 10,835 breath tests across the region with 45 of those being positive* equating to 0.4%. Four have also been arrested for drug-driving." (*figures correct from 1/12/14 until 21/12.)
Do the 45 over-the-limit results justify the 10,795 roadside breath tests of the other drivers?
The 60 postive tests were probably a fortunate side effect to the intended purpose of the operation.
Chris944 said:
Do the 45 over-the-limit results justify the 10,795 roadside breath tests of the other drivers?
Time is money. 10,795 times let's say 15 minutes each one is about 2700 hours.
I am not sure what low level coppers cost per hour of active
service to the taxpayer, but let's say it's quite a bit
more than the NMW, so let's guess at £20 / hour.
So that's £54K of coppers time spent. So over £1,000 estimated
cost of catching each over the limit driver.
Of course, for the "holier than thou" PH reader, with infinite
resources, that's money well spent, but for the sceptical taxpayer,
is that really a useful use of time and resources ?
Not sure myself. I'd be interested to see what other
more useful tasks could have been completed by over two
thousand hours of officer's time.
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