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Random testing value ‘limited’

NZPA-AAP Adelaide The effectiveness of random breath testing may be limited in the long term, says a drink-driving report prepared for the South Australian Government. The report, by the Office of Crime Statistics in the Attorney-General’s Department, said that the testing could be effective, particularly in the short-term and with intense publicity. “However, its long-term usefulness may well be more limited,” the report said. “Rather than being seen as a panacea for drinkdriving, it should take its place within a battery of counter-measures.” The report said that the casualty figures and the blood-alcohol level of accident victims dropped in the three months after random

testing was introduced in South Australia, in October 1981. However, the figures tended to revert to_ prerandom breath testing levels dliring 1982. The report said an improvement in the system in April may have interrupted the trend, but latest figures from the testing units again suggested the effects may be wearing off. “We are convinced that rather than trying to arrive at simple yes or no answers about' random testing, researchers and policymakers should begin to address the more complex issue of whether, and in what circumstances, it is more cost effective .than other safety measures,” the report said. Random breath testing was introduced in South

Australia in a low-key way for a three-year trial, and is being considered by a Parliamentary committee. The report said that South Australia had only used one version of random testing and there should be more systematic experiments before the system could be better assessed. It recommended a central body to standardise datacollections, co-ordinate the allocation of funds and priorities for research, and draw out the policy implications of studies. “Such a move could ensure the maximum benefit is obtained from research work and also be a small but important step in making progress in the difficult task of reducing the massive cost to the community of road accidents,” the report said.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19831215.2.103

Bibliographic details

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 23

Word Count
326

Random testing value ‘limited’ Press, 15 December 1983, Page 23

Random testing value ‘limited’ Press, 15 December 1983, Page 23