National Express introduce breathalysers on coaches to prevent drink driving
Coach travel provider National Express has introduced the Alcolock system to a number of their coaches which calls for the driver of the vehicle to pass a breathalyser test before the vehicle’s engine starts.
The move to roll out this system across the entire coach fleet will prevent any drink driving amongst coach drivers and will ensure the safety of National Express passengers.
Every driver getting behind the wheel of the National Express coach fitted with the new device will have to breathe into the system before they’re allowed to start the engine. If any traces of alcohol are detected on the coach driver’s breath, then the coach will be disabled and the engine will not start.
Any information collected by the breathalyser device will be transferred directly to the National Express head office so if any driver is found with traces of alcohol in their system, they will face disciplinary action immediately, and a worst case scenario will see the driver lose his or her job.
In 2008 a National Express coach was involved in an accident in which 36 passengers were injured. The driver of the coach later failed a breath test. The coach transport provider believes that the new alcolock device will go a long way in preventing a similar incident in the future.
So far, 480 out of the 600 strong National Express coach fleet have been fitted with the breathalyser system.
Breathalyser devices to be installed on National Express Coaches
After spending two years testing the new breathalyser devices, National Express have announced that the system is to be rolled out through its entire UK fleet of coaches.
The device measures the alcohol levels in a driver’s system through a breathalyser which is connected to the vehicle. Should a driver fail the breath test, then the coach is automatically disabled and cannot be driven. A message is then sent to National Express H.Q notifying them of the vehicle registration number, and the amount of alcohol detected in the driver’s system.
The safety system, which is commonly known as an alcoclock, has become a familiar fixture in Europe with many countries electing to use it. It was invented in Sweden where the device is now used extensively in both private vehicles and on public transport. In France all public vehicle are fitted with the device.
Now the UK is following suit as National Express prepares to fit alcoclocks on all 500 coaches within its fleet. It is hoped that the revolutionary safety device will prevent serious alcohol related accidents from occurring in the future.
There has been a positive response from National Express coach drivers who have welcomed the introduction of the alcoclock, saying it will go a long way to improving standards of customer safety.