It is well established that when a motorist has failed a breathalyser at the roadside they are then arrested and taken to the police station for additional evidential specimen samples to be obtained. These samples can be a further breath test on an approved breathalyser machine, a urine test or a blood test. If you do not give these extra samples, without a reasonable excuse then you may be charged with the offence of Failing To Provide A Specimen.
It should be noted that there are 3 types of breathalyser machine that have been approved by the Secretary of State. They are the CAMIC Datamaster, the Intoximeter EC/IR and the Lon Intoxilyser 6000UK.
However, there are some occasions when a person fails to provide an evidential specimen when required to do so at the police station.
Not giving a specimen or not one that can be properly tested can, in itself, result in a prosecution. The law has made it clear that it will not allow drink driving cases to be frustrated on the basis that someone has not given an evidential sample without good reason or “reasonable excuse”.
In reality the notion of a “reasonable excuse” encompasses medical reasons for failing to provide a specimen and these can be both physical and psychiatric.
An expert psychiatrist in such cases is Mr Saal Seneviratne who has been published on the topic of drink driving offences and especially in the area of failing to provide a specimen. What follows is a review of his recent paper on the subject and how his findings can be applied to practical cases.
Failing To Provide A Specimen Of Breath
It is not uncommon that a motorist may have great difficulty in providing an evidential specimen of breath when required to do so at the police station.
Although there can be psychiatric considerations as to why they cannot “blow” into the machine, it must also be considered that the issue could be of a physical nature. Such physical conditions can include those that are associated with breathing such as asthma, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.
It is well noted that psychiatric issues can manifest in conjunction with physical conditions. Physical health and associated treatment could have a bearing on the motorist’s state of mind at the time the evidential sample is being taken. It can actually have a psychological effect on their ability to comprehend the circumstances fully and to follow instructions properly. It has also been stated that associated medication can have an effect on a person’s mental sate.
Owing to the nature of what the motorist is going through and the stresses associated with being arrested, the aspect of a panic attack must always be considered. A panic attack will usually last for several minutes but it has been noted that attacks can last for a few hours. The general symptoms of a panic attack are a shortening of breath and a tightening of the chest. These 2 main aspects of a panic attack can mean that the motorist cannot give the steady flow of breath that is required by the intoxilyser machine.
If the motorist has a history of panic attacks or associated disorders such as depression or anxieties of any kind, then they need to tell their solicitor straight away.
In support of defending a charge of failing to provide a specimen of breath the court will want to see any associated GP notes along with any expert witness who will no doubt be instructed in such a case.
Failing To Provide A Specimen Of Blood
Fear of medical needles is not an unusual phobia and in the heightened state of being in a police station this can exacerbate the usual level of anxiety.
A motorist with a needle phobia can find their decision making process become disrupted and be unable to weigh up the consequences of the choices they may make.
It has been noted that the phobic anxiety associated with the needle is usually caused by the very thought of it, let alone the needle piercing the skin.
The sufferer, in this case the motorist, is normally aware of how irrational the fear or phobia seems and will also find themselves feeling embarrassed about the way they are reacting. This is further heightened by the number of people around them, witnessing that the procedure is being carried out correctly.
In extreme cases it has been stated that some people with a needle phobia have such a physical reaction that their veins actually “shut down” or narrow and the attending physician is unable to take any blood sample at all.
Again, GP notes showing a history of needle phobia will be needed to put before both the court and any expert witness that has been instructed for the case.
It is of interest to note that many needle phobics often cancel medical appointments owing to their fear of needles even when such avoidance can have a detrimental effect on their health.
Failing To Provide A Specimen Of Urine
It has been shown that whereas anxiety can generally increase the need to urinate, a panic attack can impeded if not stop the need and flow of urine.
Also it should be noted that physical medical conditions can have a dramatic effect on the lack of ability for a person to urinate. These conditions can include prostate disease, bladder infections, urethral disease, urinary retention and unusually, incontinence.
As with all medial or psychological conditions that can form a “reasonable excuse” in such cases, GP notes are vital for both the court and any instructed expert witness.
Expert Witnesses And What To Expect
For many motorists in failure to provide cases it will be their first contact with a psychiatrist. It is not the most pleasant of experiences but discussing potential psychological issues can be highly pertinent to their case.
There is generally some delay between the motorist being charged and a trial date which, affords good time for the collection of medical notes to be reviewed and submitted in support of their case.
If the arresting office or custody sergeant suspects that the motorist is suffering from a mental disorder then they will need a forensic medical examination.
If the motorist is diagnosed as having had a panic attack, it is very difficult for the prosecution to challenge such an assertion if they have not been assessed at the time of failing to provide the specimen. It is important that the expert has sight and sound of any video or audio recordings that were made at the time.
In his statement, the expert witness will be looking for evidence of the 4 main types of anxiety symptoms, which are:
- Emotional
- Cognitive
- Psychological
- Behaviour
An in-depth review of the witness statements from the attending police officers and description of the motorist’s demeanour on the MGDD/A can prove invaluable when assessing their mental state that the relevant time.
The expert should also want to have sight of the motorist’s custody record which should have a note of any mental health problems when they are booked in.
The importance of GP notes have been mentioned throughout and it cannot be stressed enough how vital they are. The expert will be looking for any relevant pre existing conditions however, it should be noted that many psychiatric illnesses go unnoticed in the general population and therefore may not be evidenced within the notes.
There is still a stigma about mental health issues and many such people will suffer in silence rather than seek help from their GP.
The expert generally prefers to sit behind the solicitor or barrister in court so as to offer suggestions for the cross examination of witnesses. Many experts also gain a greater insight into the motorist’s state of mind when hearing the live evidence of witnesses as opposed to only reading the written witness statements.
Further Reading
If you would like to read a copy of Mr Seneviratne’s paper on this matter please click here.
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