With drug-driving convictions soaring, a new fingerprint testing kit has been released which will allow hauliers to test their drivers in a non-invasive manner.
The technology, released by Intelligent Fingerprinting, is being marketed to hauliers and transport firms as a way to protect the safety of their drivers. Because it is less invasive than traditional drug-screening methods, Intelligent Fingerprinting says it can be used to pre-screen drivers or conduct random spot checks, with tests taking less than five minutes.
Fingerprint drug testing takes less than five minutes
“With the Department of Transport reporting a seven-fold increase in convictions for drug-driving since 2015 there’s an increased pressure on transport and logistics firms to ensure that their drivers are both alcohol and drug-free. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, transport and logistics firms have a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees, so an effective drug screening and testing service should be a critical element of any workplace drug policy,” says Dr Paul Yates from Intelligent Fingerprinting.
As well as the testing kit, the company sells a Fingerprint Collection Kit for Laboratory Analysis which includes the equipment and documentation to ensure that samples are correctly handled. This includes a tamper-proof security bag, barcodes to maintain anonymous sample identity and a postage-paid returns envelope.
The introduction of this technology begs the question: will drug-testing become mandatory? Although currently there is no legislation which forces hauliers to test their staff, the scale and importance of the problem mean there are likely to be developments in the near future. It does however immediately send a message to drivers to be wary about drug-use and the possible implications if haulers begin to adopt this technology.