PACTS to help Government tackle drink driving

7 February 2018

Story from PACTS.

In his speech to the national roads policing conference, Road Safety Minister Jesse Norman explained the need to make the enforcement of drink-drive laws easier. The law permits police to take evidential breath tests at the roadside. However, this has not been implemented because no manufacturer has obtained Home Office Type Approval for such a device – a mobile evidential breath testing instrument (MEBTI). The breathalysers currently used are screening devices and the police must take a suspect to a police station to obtain an evidential breath sample.

The minister concluded by saying:

''So, in order to incentivise manufacturers who operate in this market, I am delighted to confirm today that my Department will be providing funding to support an initiative lead by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS). I will announce further details in the Spring.''

Last year, on the 50th anniversary of the breathalyser, PACTS published Where now for drink driving? This recognised the reductions in policing levels and proposed a balanced set of practical actions. It highlighted the need to make progress with MEBTI.

More details will be available at the PACTS Street Legal Conference on the 28th March 2018.