Value Of Blood Tests In Drunken Driving Charges

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28207, 20 February 1957, Page 12

Value Of Blood Tests In Drunken Driving Charges

“Far from limiting an individual’s personal liberty, the taking i of blood tests on an allegedly ; drunken driver tends more to [protect the innocent than to con[vict, or give grounds for conviction of the guilty,” said the chair- ) man of the Australian Road Safety Council (Mr T. G. PaterIson). in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Paterson is in the Dominion Ito survey the work of the New I Zealand * Transport Department, and to find the reason “why New Zealand road fatality and accident i statistics are the lowest in the world.” "The British Medical Association and other similar medical institutions have advocated the validity of blood tests as the most reliable method of establishing a driver's innocence or guilt when on a charge of drunken driving,” said Mr Paterson. Mr Paterson said that he did not for a moment suggest that such tests should become compulsory by law. but that a driver so accused should be made to realise that it would be more likely to establish his innocence than any number of the better known, but less reliable, methods. Blood tests in both Australia and New Zealand are voluntary. "Drinking while driving is not a question of morality.” said Mr Paterson, “nor is it a question of the .amount consumed. It is the amount the driver has failed to dispose of. For instance, a 16stone man would, as a rule, be able to drink fairly heavily, yet remain in full control of his faculties. “Certain conditions, such as shock, simulate the effects of an over indulgence in alcohol, and this is where a blood test exonerates the innocent when charged with intoxication,” he said. Australian Tests “When Australians are tested, two samples are taken, one of which goes to the Government analyst, the other to the person concerned, who may do with it as he likes. If the test shows .05 milligrammes of alcohol in the :

blood stream, it may be used as fairly conclusive proof of his innocence, but if .15 milligrammes are indicated, then the authorities have prima facie evidence of guilt,” he said. “This amounts to the argument that when an accused driver has j the courage of his convictions, he has nothing to fear from a test,” said Mr Paterson. Asked if he thought Sydney local authorities’ method of dealing with parking offenders a little vicious, where if a motorist overstays his alloted parking-meter time the car is impounded and a £5 fine imposed. Mr Paterson replied, “Vicious? No, I think not. it is merely necessary in a city of its size. Parking Problems “Roads were not made for parking but for a fluid flow of traffic,” he said. “Parking meters are one of the inevitable innovations in expanding cities, they are also very lucrative to local authorities.” said Mr Paterson. "The solution to parking problems is to build up or dig down. Necessity justifies the cost,” he said. Today Mr Paterson will visit the primary schools of Christchurch to see how road safety instruction is given to children. Australian methods integrated road safety with all subjects taught, particularly arithmetic, he said. Every teacher was issued with a manual on integration methods. Mr Paterson said that he had noted the need for colourful instruction, such as graphs and pictures. The road illiteracy problem, said Mr Paterson, was particularly prevalent among parents. He said that he had a movie film of a certain street in Melbourne showing children taking proper precautions before crossing the street; then the mothers who barely glanced to right and left before crossing; then came “grandma, who merely put her umbrella up and barged across.” “Our great hope is in the coming generation.” said Mr Paterson.