ALLAN D’CRUZ
While the police at Vasco and Dabolim have begun steps to check drunken driving with the aid of alcometers, questions are now being asked about the safety of the very devices being used to identify drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Motorists in and around Vasco have now alleged that the mouthpieces of the alcometers are not being replaced after each use and fear that they could be susceptible to various diseases.
Speaking to Herald, many motorists have claimed that they have almost never seen police personnel change or replace mouthpieces from an alcometer, when they are subjected to an alcohol test.
“I did not see the policeman changing the mouthpiece when he conducted an alcohol test on me or even after me,” said a motorist, Nicklas Fernandes.
“The police should not only change the mouthpiece after every use of the alcometer, but should also frequently change the filters and the main pipe, as it could affect the person blowing into the alcometer,” added Fernandes.
Agrees another motorist, Frederick Noronha: “It’s a good thing the police have started the checking of drunken driving and this will keep the youth in check. However, steps should be taken to ensure that the police change the mouthpiece after every check to avoid any possible infection.”
When contacted, a doctor told Herald on condition of anonymity that any person should make sure the mouthpiece is changed before undergoing the test.
“One can easily contact many diseases if the mouthpiece of an alcometer is not changed after every use,” said the doctor.
Sources at the police station stated that the alcohol checks were intensified after Herald had highlighted the incident of a woman knocking down two people at Panjim some months ago.
When contacted, the heads of police stations in Vasco and Dabolim refuted allegations that they were not changing the mouthpieces of alcometer.
“The alcometer’s mouthpiece is changed regularly and the people shouldn’t worry about contracting any infection,” said Dabolim PI Navlesh Dessai.
PI Dessai added that around 130 cases have been registered since July.
When contacted, Vasco PI Suddesh Narvekar also insisted that the mouthpieces of the alcometer are changed after every individual check.
“The same mouthpiece on the alcometer is not reused,” assured PI Narvekar.
PI Narvekar added that around 430 cases pertaining to drunken driving had been registered this year in the port town alone.
