Thread: Road side drug and Alcohol testing in our area today

I was RBTed in Innisfail, five minutes after finishing a 12 hr shift. Got asked the usual questions, have you been drinking, to which I honestly answered in the negative. I blew 0.02!
Not a problem the cop said, but I objected, explaining that had he got me 1/4 of an hour earlier I would have been driving a B double, with a zero level. We went through all I had eaten and drunk in the previous 12 hours and he said that I'd consumed nothing that should have given me a reading. He went on to explain that the roadside test is merely a guide and that the machine at the police station is accurate.
So, lonerangie which breathalyser would be used to give you the DCM? Not the tens of thousands of dollar machine they have at the police station, I'll bet.
A single dose of some cough medicines will give a reading, as will many everyday, innocuous foods.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I was RBTed in Innisfail, five minutes after finishing a 12 hr shift. Got asked the usual questions, have you been drinking, to which I honestly answered in the negative. I blew 0.02!
Not a problem the cop said, but I objected, explaining that had he got me 1/4 of an hour earlier I would have been driving a B double, with a zero level. We went through all I had eaten and drunk in the previous 12 hours and he said that I'd consumed nothing that should have given me a reading. He went on to explain that the roadside test is merely a guide and that the machine at the police station is accurate.
So, lonerangie which breathalyser would be used to give you the DCM? Not the tens of thousands of dollar machine they have at the police station, I'll bet.
A single dose of some cough medicines will give a reading, as will many everyday, innocuous foods.

Which is why I advise my co-workers, that if they ever return a positive reading...to go and get a blood test. Those handheld breath readers can give varying results.

Hi,
Blew zero after a meal and a red wine lasting 1 hour.
I expected a low reading, but not zero.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Gordie

Which is why I advise my co-workers, that if they ever return a positive reading...to go and get a blood test. Those handheld breath readers can give varying results.

that is what police do if the hand held unit tests positive......you cannot be charged from the hand held result.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

that is what police do if the hand held unit tests positive......you cannot be charged from the hand held result.

In this state, they then put you on the breath analysis instrument in the van or at the station. Those instruments are accurate and regularly tested for same. The result of that, is what you are charged with. You are then offered a blood test kit to take to a medical practitioner for an independent blood test, which is at your own doing and choice. Police don't do blood tests or have them conducted, other than if you are hospitalised after being a driver involved in a vehicle collision.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

that is what police do if the hand held unit tests positive......you cannot be charged from the hand held result.

But I probably wasn't clear in my original statement...about co-workers...I was referring to the workplace testing which in some instances seems to rely on the handheld ones, which are not always accurate. Which is why I advise them to always get a blood test. We even recently had a worker test positive to a workplace drug test, he knew it was wrong, went and got an independent test and was cleared.

I remember about 3 years ago being at Perth Airport where a bunch of FIFO guys had to do an unannounced drug/alcohol test before they boarded their aircraft - common enough. One of the much older guys came out with a positive alcohol reading and they stopped him from boarding the aircraft. He was told they had to report it to his workplace, with serious consequences ensuing. He was absolutely livid as he said he was a teetotaler and hadn't eaten/drank anything in at least 10 hours. The testing people basically said 'tough **** buddy' and packed up and left him there and he looked crushed.

Overhearing all this I told him to go to Royal Perth Hospital, explain the circumstances and get a blood test straight away (it was 4.30am and at least RPH would be open). He then raced out of the place. I saw him again the next morning around the same time and he was in much better spirits and thanked my profusely. He got his blood test results (which cleared him of any alcohol in his system) and handed them in to the office. It seems that the testers used the hand held units only and had no facility for more accurate readings - unlike the Police.

So if you were like this poor bugger and got a false-positive, there was no backup option, unless someone gave you a CYA (cover your ass) option in case you didn't think of it yourself. He ended up getting their SOP's for this changed as it had unfortunate employment consequences if you got pinged. The testing guys (outside contractors) got a right royal rocket up their butts as well.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

I remember about 3 years ago being at Perth Airport where a bunch of FIFO guys had to do an unannounced drug/alcohol test before they boarded their aircraft - common enough. One of the much older guys came out with a positive alcohol reading and they stopped him from boarding the aircraft. He was told they had to report it to his workplace, with serious consequences ensuing. He was absolutely livid as he said he was a teetotaler and hadn't eaten/drank anything in at least 10 hours. The testing people basically said 'tough **** buddy' and packed up and left him there and he looked crushed.

Overhearing all this I told him to go to Royal Perth Hospital, explain the circumstances and get a blood test straight away (it was 4.30am and at least RPH would be open). He then raced out of the place. I saw him again the next morning around the same time and he was in much better spirits and thanked my profusely. He got his blood test results (which cleared him of any alcohol in his system) and handed them in to the office. It seems that the testers used the hand held units only and had no facility for more accurate readings - unlike the Police.

So if you were like this poor bugger and got a false-positive, there was no backup option, unless someone gave you a CYA (cover your ass) option in case you didn't think of it yourself. He ended up getting their SOP's for this changed as it had unfortunate employment consequences if you got pinged. The testing guys (outside contractors) got a right royal rocket up their butts as well.

he could also sue for unfair dismissal if he didnt go to the RPH.