RTS highlights drink and drug driving dangers
Randox Testing Services (RTS) has warned of the increase in the use of drugs and alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic, citing a Public Health England survey that identified an upsurge in the number of respondents who consumed alcohol during national lockdowns.
RTS offers bespoke drug and alcohol screening programmes to companies in safety-critical industries, such as transport operators of HGVs, PSVs and LCVs.
It can test for a wide range of drugs of abuse, with both instant testing kits and a back to lab service, and says it can help to create and implement an effective drug and alcohol testing policy that enables employers to test their drivers for a wide range of substances.
By offering both random and with-cause testing, says RTS, employers can ensure driver safety by being proactive and catching issues before problems arise.
Dr. Mark Piper, toxicology services manager, highlights the dangers that consuming drugs can have.
“Cannabis can affect attention span and reaction times, as well as eye tracking abilities, making drivers under the influence almost twice as likely to cause a road accident,” he said.
“The use of amphetamines can interfere with concentration, impair vision, and increases the driver’s tendencies to take risks – with swerving, speeding and failure to maintain safe distances from other vehicles or stop at traffic lights being among the tell-tale signs.”
He continued: “Cocaine can make the user feel more alert; however, accident levels prove they aren’t. Speeding and aggressive driving are both typical of drivers who are under the influence of cocaine.
“After the use of the drug, the comedown effects of cocaine use can be equally as dangerous and is often associated with exhaustion, fatigue, disorientation and depression.”
RTS uses its own revolutionary Biochip Technology, which it says is scientifically proven to produce highly accurate results and specifically designed to reduce the number of false positives.
“We use discreet and non-invasive methods of drug testing for patient comfort and fast sample collection,” said the company.
“Offering a choice of urine, hair and saliva screening or a combination of all three we ensure the possibility for short-term and long-term drug abuse profiling.”
Substance misuse represents a major risk to the logistics and transport industries, RTS points out, with even the smallest incident leading to huge consequences.
“Implementation of a drug and alcohol testing policy will deliver many benefits; not only will it help to keep road users safe by reducing the risk of an accident or collision due to substance misuse, but it can also help increase productivity whilst supporting the health, safety, and welfare of employees,” the firm continued.
“We offer a free substance misuse policy review service designed to help companies improve their workplace safety policies, with the potential to further develop the policy into an effective testing programme.
“With our accompanying support services such as dedicated account management and detailed management reports, we will help you to effectively implement a workplace testing solution to suit the needs of your business.”
