Device that won't let drinkers drive

A radical new device that physically stops drink-drivers starting up their cars is to be introduced in the UK.

The 'alcolock' requires the driver to take ,a breath-test before the ignition can be turned on and activates a lock if the result is above a certain level. The device is being launched by Ministers amid concern about a fresh rise in drink-driving related deaths on Britain's roads. Last year nearly one sixth of fatal accidents involved vehicles driven by motorists who had drunk more than the legal limit.

A trial of alcolocks, initially in the Midlands and Bristol, will test whether people using them are less likely to drink and drive.

If successful, the device - already used in the US, Australia and Sweden - could be fitted in return for giving convicted drink-drivers a reduced ban.

In the UK, drivers would have to pay for the fitting - about £100 - and agree to a log of their breath tests being analysed regularly, with counselling if they try to drive while over the limit.

The trial, which will start with 200 people, is part of a wider crackdown on drink-driving led by Transport Minister David Jamieson.

Another major initiative is new legislation to allow roadside breath tests that could lead directly to prosecution, without the need for further testing at the police station.

Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world, but the overall number of people killed has remained at around 3,400 for the last few years.

Drink-driving was a key area that was proving hard to tackle, said Jamieson.

'The vast majority of people are responsible about drink-driving, but there's a really tiny minority causing the problems,' said Jamieson.

'One group is 20- to 30-year-old men, and to some extent women.'

The introduction of 'evidential roadside breath testing' - signalled by Ministers in 2000 - is planned in a road safety Bill, scheduled for this autumn. Drivers would have a 'screening' breath test and if that showed a driver was likely to be over the limit, of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, they would be given the second 'evidential' test.

Only drivers who failed the second test by a small margin would have the right to request a blood or urine test at the police station.

Ministers believe the new system will reduce the risk of offenders escaping prosecution because their alcohol levels drop before the police station test.

Drink-drive deaths have risen from 460 in 1999 to 560 in 2002 - higher, proportionately, than the overall growth in traffic.

However Jamieson rejected the idea of lowering the drink drive limit below the current 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. 'The serious incidents are usually people well over 80mg,' he said.