DrugAlyzer Pilot Study - clarity on recent drug driving survey

Cape Town, 3 December 2008 - It has come to the attention of Trimega Diagnostics that there is some confusion with respect to the findings of the recent study into drug driving and the potential effect that the consumption of illegal substances may have on the ability of motorists on the roads in South Africa to drive without being impaired. Confusion is also being sown as to the legality of the proceedings undertaken.

The following sets out clear answers to some of the questions that have been provoked by the release of the findings.

1. The study that was conducted was done so with the full support of all law enforcement agencies in South Africa.
2. The current National Road Safety Act, makes provision for testing of motorists whom are suspected of being “under a narcotic effect”.
3. South Africa has a known history of illegal substance abuse, these illegal substances pervade our society at every level, but this is the first time that a study has been conducted into the potential impairment on the behaviour of a motorist on our roads. It calls into question, why, this has not been conducted sooner.
4. The study was independently conducted and funded with no special allegiance to any one device.
5. The purpose of the study was to determine if drivers were driving under the influence of illegal substances and at the same time, to establish a reliable device that can be used by law enforcement officers at roadblocks, in determining the use, if any, of an illegal substance.
6. Motorists were stopped at roadblocks under the suspicion of drinking and driving
7. Motorists were then asked if they could be screened as part of the Trimega Diagnostics research.
8. Motorists who were screened were done so on a voluntary basis and were not forced to take part - this was made very clear to them by both the presiding law enforcement officer and the Trimega Diagnostics fieldworkers.
9. All motorists who tested positive on the screening device, had blood taken from them by a duly authorised person, and sent to the laboratory for confirmation - this is in strict accordance with the NRTA.
10. Motorists were not arrested for being under the influence of an illegal substance.
11. Motorists however, in whose car illegal substances were found, were arrested on possession.
12. The Report that was compiled post the screenings, in no way makes claim to being a “scientific study”.
13. The report is in two parts; firstly, it is a literature review of known and existing statistics and facts in South Africa, relating to drugs and encompassed published articles and facts for example, on patients in hospital due to a road accident where illegal substances had been detected. There was no direct proof that the accident had occurred as a result of the consumption of these illegal substances, but it is a known fact that the taking of illegal substances in any quantity, causes impairment.
14. The Report, also reviewed literature and studies that have been conducted in other parts of the world and which substantiate Trimega Diagnostics' recommendation that a broader intervention study, coupled with random roadside drug testing and a communications campaign, will reduce the risk of roadside accidents being caused as a result of illegal substances being consumed by motorists.
15. The Report, also details the facts of the 269 screens that were done at the roadblocks during the period April to October 2008, which clearly indicate that motorists drive under the influence of illegal substances.
16. Trimgea Diagnostics are recommending that a full scientific study and research into the level of drug driving in South Africa is conducted.

In summation, the fact that motorists drive under the influence of illegal substances, cannot be called into question. Given that South Africa has one of the highest road accident rates in the world with a resultant huge cost to our economy, reducing any risk to other motorists, passengers and pedestrians is therefore a worthy goal to attain.

Trimega Diagnostics acknowledges that drink driving (a legal substance, but illegal practice) is indeed a major problem on our roads, the release of the findings of the study, in no way detracts from this. It does however, highlight the fact that illegal substances are consumed by motorists and this is a potential problem which should and can, be curbed.