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'Alcolocks' connected to coaches | 'Alcolocks' connected to coaches |
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A system measuring alcohol levels in coach drivers has been introduced by National Express. | A system measuring alcohol levels in coach drivers has been introduced by National Express. |
The breathalyser-style device disables the vehicle if the driver is over the limit and the firm's Birmingham control room alerted. | The breathalyser-style device disables the vehicle if the driver is over the limit and the firm's Birmingham control room alerted. |
The company spent two years trialling the system, which will be fitted to its fleet of more than 500 vehicles. | The company spent two years trialling the system, which will be fitted to its fleet of more than 500 vehicles. |
In 2008, a National Express driver who was over the limit was jailed after his coach crashed and overturned on the M1. | In 2008, a National Express driver who was over the limit was jailed after his coach crashed and overturned on the M1. |
The driver, Leslie Weinberg, 35, was cut from the wreckage of the coach when it crashed at Newport Pagnell Services. | The driver, Leslie Weinberg, 35, was cut from the wreckage of the coach when it crashed at Newport Pagnell Services. |
'Thorough investigation' | 'Thorough investigation' |
Weinberg pleaded guilty, at Aylesbury Crown Court, to driving dangerously and driving with excess alcohol. | Weinberg pleaded guilty, at Aylesbury Crown Court, to driving dangerously and driving with excess alcohol. |
National Express operations director Alex Perry said: "We had a very thorough investigation, we learned some lessons from it, it's a system we can roll out across the fleet and it would prevent such accidents in the future." | National Express operations director Alex Perry said: "We had a very thorough investigation, we learned some lessons from it, it's a system we can roll out across the fleet and it would prevent such accidents in the future." |
Alcolock was invented in Sweden, where it is common-place in commercial and private vehicles and is compulsory on all public service vehicles in France. | Alcolock was invented in Sweden, where it is common-place in commercial and private vehicles and is compulsory on all public service vehicles in France. |
The limit on National Express coaches is lower than the national drink drive limit of 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. | The limit on National Express coaches is lower than the national drink drive limit of 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. |
If a driver fails the test a signal is sent to the control room giving the registration number of the vehicle and how much alochol has been registered. | If a driver fails the test a signal is sent to the control room giving the registration number of the vehicle and how much alochol has been registered. |
Driver Simon Hetherington said: "I think it's been a positive step in moving forwards for passenger safety and it's been met with a good response by the drivers." | Driver Simon Hetherington said: "I think it's been a positive step in moving forwards for passenger safety and it's been met with a good response by the drivers." |
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Under the system a coach would be disabled if a driver had been drinking |