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IC calls for random tests
Page 14
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TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER David Dixon is calling for truck drivers to be randomly tested for alcohol in a bid to stop drinkdriving.
Speaking at a conference on rehabilitating drink-drivers, the West Midlands and Wales TC said this would prevent the 'morning after' syndrome when some drivers are unwittingly over the limit after drinking the night before: "I believe strongly that truck operators should have random alcohol testing in place. I suspect that far more than anyone realises, some drivers go out early in the morning when still over the drink-drive limit after drinking the night before."
Paul Hampson from Smethwick-based Hampson Haulage says his firm is considering random testing as part of its Health & Safety review: "It's taken as read that if a driver is going out on an early shift he will not drink alcohol the night before.
"However.withchangesinsafety legislation it is something we will now be looking at."
A spokeswoman for road safety campaign group Brake says it is delighted that the TC backs random testing.