Police want more breath-test power
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• Police are calling for increased powers to breath-test suspected drink-drivers at the roadside and charge them if they fail.
It is time to move towards "evidential breath testing", said Norfolk chief constable Ken Williams at the Association of Chief Police Officers' conference last week.
"Suspected drink-drivers could be dealt with at the roadside and a positive test would result in an instant charge and bail for court the next day," he said.
Some cases would still have to be dealt with at a police station, such as if a driver wanted to give a blood sample or if a breath test was refused. Currently, if drivers fail a breath test they are tested on more advanced equipment at a police station.
Williams believes the roadside initiative would speed up the way in which drink-drivers are dealt with and save police resources. "It would also send a clear message to all drink drivers—particularly the hard core which choose to ignore the law and advice about drink driving." he added.