TTC and D.Tec International join forces in pursuit of road safety

TTC has teamed up with D.Tec International in an attempt to reduce road traffic collisions.

Andy Wheeler, technical delivery director at TTC, said: “Working with D.Tec allows us to utilise our core strengths to deal with the increase in drug driving collisions and convictions, either through our behavioural change workshops or with policy guidance, training and screening devices."

Wheeler said that evidence from recent police drink and drug drive campaigns shows that drug driving arrests in many forces are overtaking those for alcohol.

He said: “Many drivers do not appreciate the impact and risks of not only having a more severe collision but failing the roadside drug screening test will mean a loss of licence and even imprisonment.

“Most drivers are aware of drink driving however there is a real lack of knowledge and appreciation of drug driving either through recreational or prescribed drug use, at both employee and managerial level. Drivers and businesses must have effective policies and training in place to deal with this growing risk.”

According to TTC, the partnership will allow the company to go one step further by offering advice on developing a robust drug and alcohol policy whilst also providing an accurate drug screening and breath alcohol measuring solution.

Ean Lewin, managing director at D.Tec, said: “We are looking forward to working with TTC Group and our safety conscious clients. It is excellent to see companies continuing to invest in telematics that monitor and assess driver performance and reduce emissions through smoother driving, but it also makes sense to remember the basics and educate employees before they get behind the wheel.

“A regular programme of training on the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol can be a very effective deterrent, especially when coupled with pre-employment, random and with cause drug and alcohol testing procedures.”

Both parties believe that safer driving programmes work when the message is consistent and embedded as a top down culture with companies having a legal responsibility under health and safety legislation to ensure people who drive for work are professionally assessed or screened and offered training where appropriate.

D.Tec International provides police forces in England and Wales with its Drugwipe device, which uses saliva to test for cocaine and cannabis at the roadside.