''In your alcohol blood was not detected'': blood tests to detected drunk drivers
About how car owners, medical professionals and traffic police officers assess the change in detection of drunk drivers on the road
Drunk drivers will be detected in a new way — by blood tests. The main thing is that alcohol content in blood must not exceed 0,3 g per litre. Otherwise, this can incur administrative responsibility. The law signed by Vladimir Putin will come into force at the end of June. Realnoe Vremya interviewed experts who shared their views on the new initiative.
''It is not quite right lay emphasis on blood test, without clinical manifestation''
Until today, drunk drivers were detected only by samples of exhaled air, the concentration of ethyl alcohol was not to exceed 0,16 mg per litre of exhaled air. Now offenders can be detected including by blood tests, which previously had already been used for the same purpose. Importantly, the concentration must not exceed 0,3 grams per litre of blood, otherwise it entails administrative responsibility in the form of a fine at 30,000 rubles and deprivation of driver rights for up to two years. Vladimir Putin has already signed the law that will come into force at the end of June.
''I do not quite agree it is right to detect only by blood test, we already see clinical manifestation after all. People already have 0,3 ppm. Excess is not excluded, the most important thing is clinical manifestation. Earlier, they worked without such tests at all — there is breath, change in the sclera, standing in Romberga Pose. It is already evident that the person is drunk without blood tests. Blood tests were held only in special cases when the doctor was in serious doubt. Laying emphasise on blood test, without taking into account clinical manifestation, is not quite right,'' says Rustem Valiullin, a psychiatrist-narcologist with 37-year experience.
He added that we should not forget that 'intoxication' up to 0,3 ppm is normal, but those who have an increased secretion of gastric juice, even after eating, can have an increased value. ''Those who has stronger secretion won't be able to prove that he or she was sober. There are people who have the process of fermentation giving more than 0,3'' Rustem Valiullin warns about mistakes.
There were less questions when they took blood samples
Regional representative of the Vehicle Owners Federation of Russia in the Republic of Tatarstan Ramil Khayrullin reminded the days when blood was taken for examination for intoxication, ''and there were less questions at the time''.
''Blood test is necessary. The device for exhaled air is still a device, the situation can be different, it's more clearly seen by blood test. Besides, blood is stored longer. As for the value of 0,3 ppm, it is normal, the main thing is not to go back to zero, because it is impossible, besides there is always the probability of mistake, we shouldn't forget about this,'' said Ramil Khayrullin.
Besides, the work of devices that examine the exhaled air depends on whose hands they are in, said the representative of the federation. The expert recalled cases when it was necessary to deal with the fact that the device was making samples in a row, although for normal operation it is necessary to take a break. Besides, the device can be 'adjusted' on one's choice. With blood tests, it is virtually impossible to do.
Blood test is appropriate only in case of an accident with serious consequences
Vladimir Kunchy, a coach at the driving school Avtoledi, is sure that this measure is appropriate only in case of serious accidents.
''Blood test is a good thing, it can help the innocent to prove innocence, but for the deranged drunk driver, on the contrary, it will be easier to give blood than to blow. But it is important that the blood test is always done with witnesses, the material is then sealed, it needs to be thought through. As for the established 0,3 ppm — let the doctors discuss the figure. But we should remember that any features of the body can affect these figures, even because of sore teeth the value often grows. In other countries, the indicators are more loyal, but we have a special mentality,'' said Vladimir Kunchy.
But making blood test for everyone, in his opinion, is inappropriate, the procedure itself is expensive, in this case, the costs will be unjustified.
The opinions supporting blood tests have turned out to be more, one of the arguments — reliability.
''We can't determine drug intoxication by exhaled air, so the blood test is a reliable test in all respects. This is a reasonable step also in the sense that any medical reports should be made by doctors in the laboratory in stationary conditions. The air sample in this case is quite subjective. The blood test should provide full control,'' said Raul Tinchurin, a specialist in the promotion department at Traffic Safety.
At the same time, remembering the experience, he noted that usually the blood test is not taken at a serious accident, apparently believing that the person is guilty. ''It is wrong. Without taking the test, we can not give an objective opinion,'' said Raul Tinchurin.
Now the introduced blood test, in his opinion, can be taken when there are strong reasons and external manifestation is noticed.
According to the traffic police, in February 2018 in the country there were 299 accidents due to drunk drivers, which killed 35 people, injured 444. In Tatarstan in February of this year, there were 7 accidents due to drunk drivers, 2 people were killed and 6 were injured. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 19 accidents in the republic because of drunk drivers, in which 11 people were killed, 22 were wounded.