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People in the news: Andrea Gielen
Andrea C Gielen, a frequent contributor, reviewer and, I believe, past editorial board member, has received the 2016 Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award for her pioneering efforts to reduce childhood injury and domestic violence. She is a passionate believer in the value of health promotion, health education and health communication. This is reflected in her large body of research. Andrea helped to create Maryland's first child passenger safety programme, Project KISS (Kids in Safety Seats). She also helped develop the Johns Hopkins Children's Safety Center that provides free safety education and low-cost safety products. Dr Gielen now directs the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, one of the 10 US centres for excellence in injury research funded by the CDC. Remarkably, Andrea has been involved in the training of about 2500 public health students.
Decrease speed limits, tougher blood-alcohol policy
A decreased speed limit in cities and a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for drivers under the age of 25 are two of several measures advocated by British Columbia's Health Officer. He wants the speed limit lowered from 50 to 30 kmh within municipalities and on treaty lands and he is pessing for the return of photo radar. His concern about distracted driving is prompting a push for much tougher penalties. Comment: Several of these are measures we have been urging to be implemented for several years.
Police testing saliva-based devices to detect driver drug impairment
In Canada, drug-impaired driving is becoming as prevalent as driving under the influence of alcohol. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has struggled with what its role should be in helping control this frightening threat. Until recently it had to defer a decision because there was no reasonable roadside test. Now, three saliva-based tests exist that await field tests by police. But first some legislative changes will be needed to permit officers to take a sample of saliva. One test, Drugwipe, …
Footnotes
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.