Citation

Morgan WHD. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 195-202.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present legislation in Northern Ireland to control drinking and driving was first enacted in the Road Traffic Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. This differs markedly from that in Great Britain. Its central feature is a two tier offence (a) of driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of 80 mg/100 ml and (b) a more serious offence of deemed impairment when the driver's blood alcohol level is in excess of 125 mg/100 ml. Breath tests have been used since 1968 to give a quantitative measure of the blood alcohol levels of motorists. Although these tests are used primarily for screening purposes there is a novel feature in the legislation whereby the subject can consent to the use of this breath test as evidence. In this case no blood sample is required and no further examination is carried out. Initially the breath testing device used was the ethanographe, but this was replaced by the alcolmeter ae-dis in 1977. The results obtained in the breath testing programme over the ten year period of operation will be presented and discussed. Brief details will be given to indicate how breath tests are carried out at the roadside. (TRRL)