DRINKING AND DRIVING

Evening Star, Issue 26041, 4 March 1947, Page 8

DRINKING AND DRIVING

AN INTERESTING TEST

An interesting test to determine the effect of alcohol ou an experienced motor driver was recently carried out at Carlisle (England) in the presence of councillors, magistrates, and police officers. Apparatus, known as a senior motor, trainer, was used, and the “ victim ” was a young volunteer—an experienced driver—who, althougli fond of whisky, did not indulge heavily. Before the first test the man had no drink, and when the “ stop ” sign was flashed on the screen he braked in .7 of a second, representing 31ft travelled before stop was effected. At a second attempt .osec was registered, equal to 22ft.

Following a drink of whisky by the driver, the test continued and .Bsec was registered, equivalent to 35ft. This time was repeated after two more whiskies, but following the fourth three tests gave .9sec, 2.4 sec, and I.4sec, equalling 39.5 ft, 106 ft, and 61.5 ft respectively. All the tests were made at speeds around 30 m.p.h. A medical examination was made after each test, and the man’s pulse rose from 76 to 100. After the fourth drink the doctor pronounced the man to be unfit to be in charge of a motor vehicle. The senior instructor present said that, apart from the gradual decrease in breaking reaction, the driver was not handling the controls as well as previously. He fumbled at gear changing and was not sure at times of the gear he had engaged.