New figures boost breath-test plan
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by Miles Brignall • The campaign to allow police to breath-test drivers randomly received a boost this week after figures published show 6% of drivers still drink and drive.
The University of Wales study of about 1,000 motorists revealed that large numbers of the population still defy anti drink-drive campaigns and continue to get behind the wheel after several drinks. More worrying for the Government came the admission from the drivers that they felt they were unlikely to get caught.
If the survey is right, it would mean that about two million are regularly driving while drunk, although it is understood the proportion is much lower among professional drivers.
However, the figures could even be higher as some respondents would have been reluctant to admit to the problem even though the survey was carried out anonymously.
The findings have renewed several police officers' calls to introduce random breath testing. The survey also found 70% of drivers wanted the police given stronger powers to stop drink-drivers.
The Government is already looking at lowering the limit to the equivalent of a pint of strong beer and is understood to be sympathetic to changing police powers in this area.