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Motoring news

Government to end drink drive loophole

23/11/2012

The government has announced its intention to close a loophole in the drink drive testing procedures to help clamp down on offenders.

They aim to end the current situation where drivers who record 50mgs of alcohol per 100ml of breath at the road side are entitled to a replacement blood or urine test.

The move is intended to help make Britain's roads safer for motorists and car insurance policy holders and further discourage people from drinking then driving.

Stephen Hammond, the road safety minister, told The Press Association that, "We have made great progress in tackling drink-drivers and the 2011 fatality figure for drink-and-drive accidents is the second lowest ever recorded.

"However, last year, 280 people died (in these types of accident), ruining the lives of families up and down the country, so more needs to be done to eradicate this menace. That is why we are taking forward a package of measures to streamline enforcement against drink-driving.

"I am determined to make the jobs of those who deal with drink-drivers easier and less bureaucratic so that bringing offenders to justice is not left to chance."

The planned change is just one of many drink driving measures the government will now consult on. They also intend to involve health care professionals in the testing of suspected offenders, with an emphasis placed on spotting drivers under the influence of drugs.

The planned introduction of mobile evidential testing units means that the police will now be able to conduct urine and blood tests rather than breathalysing suspects, meaning that drink drivers won't be able to sober up on the journey to testing facilities.