Alcolocks: a life saving technology- seminar

The representative of the European commission (DG MOVE), Maria- Cristina Marolda, gave a presentation on EC road safety policy orientations for 2011-2020 and emphasised the importance of tackling drink driving, which was responsible for over 30% of road causalities. She explained that the commission did not want to demonise alcohol consumption but treated its misuse as a social problem. Road safety in fact goes beyond transport as it concerns also other domains i.e. health, employment etc. Since alcohol abuse is considered as a disease, the commission's approach targets prevention (through education and training), screening (police control and automatic devices i.e. alcolocks) and therapy (rehabilitation courses and, in extreme cases, intensive care).

On enforcement and penalties, she underlined that a flexible approach was needed as in some cases the withdrawal of driving licences could lead to a vicious circle. Especially for first time offenders, there was a need to preserve people's free choice of mobility guaranteeing that this was done in a safe way. In the case of recidivists, instead, she envisaged medical as well as psychological tests and ultimately prohibition to drive. She concluded her introductory speech focusing on alcolocks. She said that much needed to be done on technology.

Lennart Pilskog, Volvo Trucks, said that Volvo Trucks had a longstanding expertise on the issue of road safety and presented the main statistics on road accidents (see presentation attached). He then illustrated the recent developments in alcolocks technologies. He recalled that Volvo Trucks had introduced factory-fitted interlocks in 2005 while the latter were available as an accessory already in 2002. Currently, Volvo Trucks alcolocks consists of a breath alcohol tester which is integrated into the vehicle's systems. The device prevents an intoxicated person from driving and the vehicle can only be started after an approved alcotest result using electro-chemical and fuel cell technology. Regarding future trends, he noted an increased interest, awareness and demand. Future work will focus on testing for other drugs as currently technology is not there yet. He concluded by highlighting the need for harmonised technical standards and legislation. (see presentation)

Antonio Avenoso, ETSC, provided an update on the situation of drink driving in Europe and the role of alcohol interlocks (see presentation attached). He welcomed the fact that the commission stated in its Road safety policy orientations 2011-2020 that “it will examine to what extent measures are appropriate for making the installation of alcohol interlock devices in vehicles compulsory, for example with respect to professional transport (e.g. school buses)”. (see presentation)

Tom Bjerver, MHF, began by illustrating the global and European targets for traffic safety (see presentation attached). In order to achieve the latter, he said, a number of conditions needed to be fulfilled. In particular, alcolocks need to be installed on a wide scale in new cars and they have to be less intrusive as possible. He emphasised the need to have European standards for alcolocks. He clarified that MHF set up their own professional test laboratory where each function is scrupulously tested according to the CENELEC standards in EU and provides consumer information on the most reliable alcolocks. There are five elements measured by alcolocks, that is, pressure, airflow, temperature, humidity / vibrato, and level of alcohol. Obviously, depending on technical quality, the performance varies among products. Very important is also the availability of service networks in order to calibrate and update equipment. He said that every fourth new trucks delivered by Volvo Trucks, is equipped with alcolocks which have been widely accepted by drivers and the unions. Regarding future trends, he envisaged alcolocks installed on trains, ships, trams and nuclear power plants. He concluded by calling for the installation of alcolocks in all new cars as soon as possible.(see presentation)

Nora Kallstrom, DB SCHENKER, gave a presentation on DB SCHENKER's experience of using alcolocks. She said that these had been installed in their truck fleet since 2006, following a tragic accident which had killed five people, including an entire family. She highlighted the importance of involving truck drivers in the choice of alcolocks in order for them to accept their use. (See presentation).

Questions and answers session:

Ellen Townsend, ETSC, began the session by asking Tom Bjerver how to counter the argument that one can always ask someone else to breathe in the alcolocks. Mr. Bjerver replied that this was indeed a possibility however not many people would accept to do this as in many jurisdictions this practice represents a crime.

Mariann Skar, secretary general of Eurocare (the European Alcohol Policy Alliance), pointed out the need to work towards the harmonisation of EU legislation starting from zero tolerance for professional drivers.

Herman de Croo, ETSC, asked whether there was a tendency to provide for tax incentives, or even reducing insurance premiums, in order to encourage the installation of such instruments. Lennart Pilskog responded that he could not provide an informed answer, however, alcolocks cost around 1000€ and this price will go down once their use are more widespread and technology advances.

Maria-Cristina Marolda raised the question of who should face the cost of the alcolocks when this becomes compulsory. Should it be the offender or the state? A representative of the Belgian Road Safety Institute said that in Belgium the cost of the alcolocks is deducted from the fine while Kirsi Marita Löytty, Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi), said that in Finland the cost is on the offender.

Ellen Townsend asked about the role of public procurement to increase the use of alcolocks. Kirsi Marita Löytty said that in Finland alcolocks in school buses and taxis are mandatory since August 2010. In France, instead, alcolocks are mandatory on new French registered buses since 2010 and will be mandatory for old ones from 2015.

Finally, Herman de Croo asked participants what were the main obstacles for the use of alcolocks and there was a consensus that these were essentially a matter of costs, culture and technology.