TESTS FOR DRUNKENNESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22596, 8 December 1936, Page 13

TESTS FOR DRUNKENNESS

Sir, —It appears to be the common impression that two or three drinks ol intoxicating liquor arc quite harmless. The fact is, however, that the amount of poison in two drinks is sufficient to kill a dog, and must therefore have an appreciable effect upon a man. Scientific tests have proved that much smaller amounts of alcohol nlfect the co-ordina-tion of brain, nerves and muscles so necessary to safe motoring. There is an ounce of poison (alcohol) in every pint of beer, while other drinks contain a much higher percentage. An admission of having taken "a couple of drinks" might well be taken as an admission of being under the influence of alcohol. However, the present methods of determining whether a man is "under the influence" are obsolete and unsatisfactory, and should be replaced with the scientific blood test as used in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. For some considerable time it lias been the practice in Sweden to have a blood specimen immediately taken of all persons involved in any motor accident. One drop of blood is sufficient to determine whether a person is under the influence of alcohol. The application of this method in New Zealand would put an end to The obsolete guess-work methods now used, it would protect innocent motorists from suspicion of intoxication, and would determine whether motorist or pedestrian was at fault. In the interests of public safety, as well as in the interests of its members, this is a matter which might well be considered by the Auckland Automobile Association with a view to securing legislation. F. C. Pace, President, X.Z. Alliance, Auckland.