Three City Nightspots To Install Breathalysers

[george]

Three city nightspots to install breathalysers

BANGKOK: -- Three popular restaurant-nightspots in Bangkok have agreed to install breathalysers so customers can check their alcohol level before driving home.

Justice Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said about 20 machines would be installed at each place, under the government's Drink Don't Drive campaign.

The three venues are Royal City Avenue, a popular drinking and dancing area, Rong Beer Coliseum in Thong Lor and Por Kungpao on Ratchadapisek.

Installation would be completed in two weeks.

``I will coordinate with the alcohol companies to chip in money as each device costs 50,000-60,000 baht,''

said Mr Suwat after meeting with restaurant operators.

Alcohol testing would be voluntary, but customers would then know whether they were fit to drive. The legal level for a motorist was under 50 milligrammes. Anyone over the limit would be asked to rest before driving home, said the minister.

An active campaign was needed to create constant public awareness of the dangers of drink driving, he said.

The government attributed the significant drop in the number of accident-related deaths and injuries during this year's Songkran festival in April to active campaigning and monitoring.

Mr Suwat said it was necessary that restaurants where people go to party and drink join the effort to show social responsibility.

Probation Department chief Kittipong Kittayarak said if the law was enforced seriously, people would change their behavior and check whether they were drunk and how they plan to go home.

Somchai Urawattanapan, adviser to Rong Beer Coliseum, said his establishment was cooperating. He believed that once breathalysers were installed customers would agree to use them before they leave the restaurant.

The establishment would provide a space where customers who have had a few too many could take a rest, Mr Somchai said.

--The Post 2005-05-03

[george]

Breathalyzers to be installed in entertainment venues

BANGKOK: -- The government is to install breathalyzers in major entertainment venues to allow patrons to check their blood alcohol levels prior to driving off home, Justice Minister Suwat Liptapanlop revealed yesterday.

Mr. Suwat, who yesterday held a meeting with the owners of Bangkok nightspots, alcohol manufacturers and anti drink-driving campaigners, told reporters that entertainment venues were keen to demonstrate a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging their patrons to take self-administered breathalyzer tests.

The breathalyzers will be installed as part of a pilot programme in three venues - Coliseum, Slim Bow and P. Kung Phao - by the Department of Youth Observation and Protection within the next fortnight.

Free for patrons to use, the equipment comes at a cost of Bt50,000 per breathalyzer machine.

Mr. Somchai Urawattanaphan, advisor to the Coliseum beer hall, yesterday expressed confidence that the installation of breathalyzers would not see a decline in the number of patrons, stressing that revellers would benefit from the equipment, which allowed them to see whether their blood alcohol levels were above the legal limit.

Under Thai law, motorists caught drink-driving can face fines of up to Bt4,000 and community service sentences of nine days.

--TNA 2005-05-02

[Sunderland]

It won't end the problem of drink-driving, but it will help. Although requiring someone being over the limit to take a rest for a while seems daft. Better for them to go home, get a decent night's sleep and then come back and pick up their car the next morning/afternoon. Or is that too sensible?

[bkkmadness]

So they cover the Por Kung Pao in Ratchada but not the Pump Up pub down the road with it's massive car park outside filled with 500+ cars every night and carrys the theme of driving and cars?

[kalaminsa]

to allow patrons to check their blood alcohol levels prior to driving off home

????

[sua yai]

Now, I'm no doctor, but years ago around Xmas time, I suggested this to a local landlord in London.

He said it would be pretty pointless as alcohol takes at least 30 mins to enter the bloodstream fully. So, if you've just finished your pint and breathalise yourself, the reading will not be as high as it would be a short while later.

It's also the reason the police in the UK wait 30mins - 1 hour after arrest from a breathaliser count before asking for blood or urine sample. They're not being kind to you, just ensuring that they get the maximum reading.