Minister's appeal against drink-driving - 'time for random breathalyser testing'

Health minister Joe Cassar has expressed his support for the introduction of random breathalyser tests, as he launched a campaign against drink-driving during the festive season.

“It does not fall within my remit, but I support random testing and it’s something that is also done regularly in other countries,” Cassar said.

Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat said all 10 police districts in Malta had a breathalyser test, as well as the mobile units. “At present we can only stop people who are reasonably suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol to perform a breathalyser test. But we can stop anybody to check their documents, and then apply the test if we believe the driver is drunk.”

Health promotion director Charmain Gauci said studies showed over 7.7% of drivers admit to use their car after having more than four drinks.

“During these days everyone is invited for a drink but it is important to stop at just one drink,” Cassar said. One tot of whiskey is equivalent to a small bottle of beer or a glass of wine. 

“Alcohol affects everyone differently, depending on metabolism, gender, medication, sickness and other factors. Even one or two drinks affect reaction time, and one second is the difference between life and death,” Cassar said.

The minister also said that motorists’ reaction times can be affected not just by alcohol but any other mind altering substances, including energy drinks and over-the-counter drugs like paracetemol that can influence metabolism. 

Even at the legal limit of 80 mg per 100ml of blood the risk of fatal accidents increases tenfold. The minister warns that it is very dangerous to translate the legal limit to tots allowed because of the variety of factors that can influence metabolism. "Even something as simple as exercise has an effect on metabolism. If one exercises on alternate days then on the day of exercise metabolism is faster and alcohol intake will have a different effect than on the day where exercise is not taken." 

The minister said food also plays a part in metabolism, with some foods encouraging faster metabolism such as grapefruit juice. 

Brincat advises parents to warn their children of the dangers of drinking and driving as the message has more of an effect when the advice comes from within the family unit. He also advises young people who have just got their licenses to refrain from driving over the festive season, particularly Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve as they simply do not have the experience to get out of trouble even if they are sober.