Breath-test kits worth €4,000 give police cutting-edge tool to improve road safety
April 19, 2017
The European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine today donated breathalyser kits worth €4,000 to Nova Vodolaga police station in Kharkiv region. The equipment will improve the capacity of the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) to address road safety. This particular equipment is so advanced that it allows police to identify drivers under the influence of alcohol even without carrying out an actual breath test – by taking a sample of the air inside cars. The kits are also equipped with wireless portative printers that can provide protocoled results of a breath test on the spot.
“Ukraine has one of the highest numbers of accidents and fatalities on the road. In Western Europe every year around four people per 100,000 population lose their lives in road-traffic accidents. Here in Ukraine the figure is 13,” said Timothy Shilston, EUAM Senior Advisor on General Policing, at today’s handover ceremony. “The equipment donated today will save lives, and there is no more important task for a police officer than the preservation of life.”
Gerrit Jan Van Gelder, EUAM’s Regional Presence Coordinator in Kharkiv, added: “During 2015 alcohol was a contributory factor in 2,358 accidents resulting in 317 fatalities – 317 families torn apart by the premature death of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. That is an avoidable tragedy that needs urgent action.”
Since the end of 2016, EUAM has provided a total of 30 advanced breathalyser kits worth up to €38,000 – together with training in their use – to police in Kiev, Kharkiv and Lviv. Today’s
donation ceremoney in Nova Vodolaga was attended by Mr. Koroliuk, Head of Nova Vodolaga district state administration, Mr. Rotach, Head of Nova Vodolaga district council and Mr. Yesin, Nova Vodolaga village head.
