Device cuts risk of drink driving at work

Fleet managers can eliminate any risk of their drivers getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of alcohol thanks to an innovative new device.

The new in-car alcohol tester utilises a police-standard breathalyser to test a driver’s alcohol level and, if necessary, uses a wireless system to automatically stop the car or van’s engine starting.

The hand-held Alcolock 500 can also be programmed to a pre-set or zero-tolerance alcohol limit that the driver has to use before starting the vehicle.

According to the company behind the device, fleets who use the system hope to remove any doubt that drivers have excess alcohol in their bodies when driving for work.

This is especially relevant for fleet managers with increasing legal responsibilities to ensure, and demonstrate, their drivers are operating at appropriate standards to protect themselves as well as any passengers or other road users.

Alcolock GB joint managing director, David Whittock, said his company has already received a lot of interest from driving schools, fleet managers and coach and road haulage companies.

He said that initial trials have also proved very successful.

The system can store results of up to 4,000 breath samples which can be downloaded or provide automatic reports for vehicles with multiple drivers, a driver’s reset button logs the change of driver and immobilises it until the system produces a positive result.