The results of a survey revealed this week claim that 72% of drivers in the Valencia region are not fully aware of the limits of alcohol before driving. This figure is 6 points above the national average. In addition, 30% of all drivers believe that there are simple ways to “con” the breathalyser test, and 2.6 million drivers, around 10% of all those on the roads, admit to using this urban mythology to attempt to conceal the fact that they have consumed alcohol before driving.
Considerably lower than the UK, and with proposals to lower the rate even further, the “BAC” represents the volume of alcohol in the blood and is measured in grams of alcohol per litre of blood (g / l) or milligrams per litre of exhaled air. The permitted maximum limits in Spain are 0.25 mg / l of exhaled air, with a lower limit of just 0.15 mg / l for novice and professionals such as bus, taxi or delivery drivers. Violations of this limit would constitute an “administrative” offence, resulting in the withdrawal of the license for 3 months and a fine of between 302 and 602 euro, the loss of points and higher insurance premiums. If the test shows 0.6 mg / l, then the offence is classified under the penal code as a criminal offense, which can also lead to imprisonment of 3 to 6 months or a monetary fine to pay for between 6 and 12 months or, where appropriate, community service work, and removing your license for between 1 and 4 years, in addition to higher fines and potential insurance black listing.
The DGT traffic department in Spain says that drink driving is one of the most serious problems for road safety in modern times. In fact, according to the National Institute of Toxicology, 35% of drivers killed in a car accident last year tested positive for alcohol, a statistic that equates to a driver being 9 times more likely to be involved in an accident than one who has consumed no alcohol.
The increase in check points for drivers has also resulted in an increase in the spreading of myths and beliefs that breathalyser test results can be changed by adopting simple practices, a belief that has also resulted in the number of drivers consuming alcohol intending to drive, believing that the only risk to themselves is a fine for failing the test.
Línea Drecta, in collaboration with the Spanish Foundation for Traffic Safety, FESIVAL, has produced a study which they hope will go some way to dispelling these myths, in the hope that all raising the awareness that these practices have no affect on the equipment, will result in fewer people playing Russian Roulette behind the wheel.
The report, “Myths and false beliefs about alcohol tests”, collates the data of nearly 1,260 interviews with drivers throughout the Spanish territory, and includes what those drivers incorrectly believe. IN fact, based on the study, around 8 million drivers believe tricks like drinking coffee or sucking coffee beans reduces the risk, as does waiting two hours after your last drink before you drive.
There are stranger beliefs too, such as drinking oil, eating toothpaste or grass, sucking lithium or copper coins, vomiting and slowly blowing into the breathalyzer will all result in the equipment, and highly trained operators, not knowing that the driver has consumed any alcohol. Of course the fact that your car may well be wrapped around a lamppost may be a bit of a giveaway.
According to the report, nearly half of Spanish drivers, a total of 44%, have heard of the existence of these tricks, with 73% blaming their friends for spreading the lies. More worrying for safety experts is the fact that about 2.6 million drivers, around 10%, admit to having used some of these methods to avoid detection. In addition, when asked if they considered it socially acceptable to use these deceptive practices if they did work, 2.5 million drivers, around 9%, believe that it is.
It is also notable that the profile of the driver more likely to believe and fall for these myths is male, between the age of 18 and 29, who would also use modern technology such as the internet, social networks and WhatsApp to avoid alcohol checkpoints and, of more concern, acknowledges having driven under the influence alcohol.
Based on the most popular myths, the group did set about trying to prove, one way or another, if they may actually work, to which the conclusion was no, having tested them on a variety of men and women, forced to consume beer wine and spirits.
The general consensus of drivers is that using alcohol check points to combat accidents caused by other drivers is a good thing, with 16% questioning their effectiveness, whereas in the Valencia region, 67% of drivers believe that the check points are nothing more than a money making scheme, with 45% of drivers claiming that too many are conducted.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/39919/
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