There is the awareness side and judicial side which has to be further developed. Â Impaired driving mainly comes from alcohol and now the use of drugs is another cause. To a much lesser extent people with medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and weak eye sight can have an impaired driving, which are not always detected when granting the license.Â
As if these factors were not enough, a new kid has just arrived : Mobile Phones (MP). I have seen accidents caused by the distraction of MPs which are as serious as accidents caused by the influence of alcohol. Â However with alcohol and MPs there are dilemmas. Â I can feel the reluctance of a law enforcement officer to stop me just because I am on the phone although he should. Same with the seat belt.
The rules for driving and drinking are also vague and hard to define. Â Is it enough for a drunk driver to be able to walk to get away with it ? Â Why blood test is not taken before the incident instead of after the incident ? Has the police the right for on-the-spot blood test if excessive drinking is suspected. Â Can we relate the law and the penalty to the level of alcohol in the blood ? Can the police do random blood testing for people leaving bars and pubs after certain time ?
It is indeed, for me at least, confusing. Â Inside a pub or a bar there are tens of people some of whom has taken as many as 10 drinks, yet they leave the place driving. Â this is happening and will continue to happen. Â I have never seen a sign in a bar or a pub that warns against driving and drinking. Â Should it be a law that the maximum of 5 drinks for any customer in a bar or a pub ? Â One might think this is silly, but the families of those were hurt by impaired drivers do not.
Hamad S Alomar
Riyadh
