Premiere for Volvo Trucks breathalyser on Stena Line ships

On 16th January, Stena Line and Volvo Trucks showed the first breathalyser to be installed on the Stena Scandinavica ferry that operates between Gothenburg (Sweden) and Kiel (Germany). The breathalyser allows drivers to quickly and easily test themselves to verify that they are fit to drive in Sweden.

The Stena Line drive to install breathalysers on board the company’s ferries is a joint initiative together with AB Volvo and is part of the companies’ determination to heighten awareness of the risks of alcohol and increase interest in traffic safety.

“Commercial vehicle drivers are highly aware of the importance of safety and do not drink alcohol when working,” says Hans Hansson, Freight Commercial Manager for Stena Line in Scandinavia. However, there are few exceptions, according to the statistics, and a driver may occasionally want to test himself just to be on the safe side. Consequently, we are working together with Volvo to install breathalysers on all Stena Lines ships that call at Swedish ports.”

“The test is naturally entirely voluntary and we regard the breathalyser as a service to our customers, but at the same time as it helps improve traffic safety and reduces the risk of drivers of heavy vehicles operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol,” continues Hans Hansson.

Over the past few years, there have been several serious accidents involving foreign vehicles driven by drivers who have been intoxicated. Indeed the numbers of drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol around Ystad, one of the main ferry ports on Sweden’s southern coast, doubled between Mar 2005 and Mar 2006.

The breathalyser will be installed in the Trucker’s Lounge, the drivers’ own section on board with its dining room, TV, newspapers, comfortable loungers for stretching out and relaxing, and other facilities. At dockside check-in, each driver receives a disposable mouthpiece for the breathalyser and information about the services Stena Line offers to anyone who requires assistance, for example help with disembarking the vehicle, parking facilities and so on.