Return of the dreaded Dräger
The dreaded Dräger has returned to flush out drunk drivers
THE highly contentious Dräger breathalyser, which had prosecutors and attorneys at each other’s throats as soon as the first cases hit the courts, is making a comeback after being withdrawn from use in 2011.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced that evidentiary alcohol testing through the Dräger breathalyser will be reintroduced from 1 August after being rubber stamped by a specialised task team.
The Dräger almost went down the drain when the Cape High Court found that operation of the apparatus was problematic and all Dräger cases were withdrawn.
Locally, hundreds of drunk driving cases relying on the Dräger reading only were shelved.
But a task team was appointed to go back to the drawing board and ultimately resurrect the invention.
Representatives of the NPA, the National Department of Transport, the South African Bureau of Standards, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services and the Gene Louw Traffic College, have now sifted through the problems and are confident that they have now covered all bases.
The pilot phase will be rolled out in the Western Cape and depending on the success of the re-launch, will be rolled out to other provinces.
The Western Cape Department of Transport says the Dräger can read breath alcohol and the readings can be produced as evidence to prosecute drunk drivers.
The Automobile Association (AA) hailed the decision as an important development in the fight against drinking and driving.
‘We believe all law abiding motorists will support this move in the knowledge that it will make them safer on the roads,’ a spokesperson said.
The AA said any measure aimed at curbing the road carnage is welcomed and will ensure those who continue to drink and drive, are held accountable.
‘The message is drink or drive, not both.
‘With the many drive home services available, including the AA Designated Driver service, drinking and driving should not be an option.’
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) about 13 000 people died on South African roads last year.
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