Swedish government gives Volvo Trucks go-ahead for tests with drunk drivers

Volvo Trucks has received permission to test new technology using tired drivers and drivers under the influence of alcohol when, at today's cabinet meeting, the government gave its permission for the trials to go ahead.

The application to the government requested special dispensation from the Swedish Road Traffic Act. In a meticulously monitored test programme, Volvo Trucks will allow tired drivers and drunk drivers to try out new technology designed to enhance traffic safety. All the tests will be conducted off the public roads at Volvo's proving ground in Hällered, just outside Borås in Sweden.

"The safety regulations will be immensely rigorous during every step of the testing process. We intend to check how the driver is affected by alcohol, medication and fatigue," explains Lennart Pilskog, director of Public Affairs at Volvo Trucks.

"The purpose of the trials is to test new technology for quality assurance of drivers. At the same time, we must also arrive at a suitable interplay between the new technology and the driver."

The trials, which are scheduled to take place during the first half of 2006, will encompass a total of a dozen drivers, in different scenarios involving alcohol influence and tiredness.

Recently Volvo Trucks also participated in an EU seminar in Brussels that studied the fitting of alco-locks in vehicles. The meeting was initiated by Swedish Infrastructure Minister Ulrica Messing and the delegates had the opportunity to examine how a modern alco-lock for trucks works.

In 2005, sales of this system rose sharply and today, more than 5,000 buses and trucks in Sweden are equipped with an alco-lock.