The Transport Secretary, Phllip Hammond is to plug an existing loophole in the law which enables motorists to request a blood test, in the hope that the extra time allows the alcohol to disappear from their bloodstream.
The Department for Transport estimates that scrapping the right to demand a blood test could lead to 5,000 more drink drive convictions a year. It will also allow police officers making the arrest to go back on patrol sooner instead of waiting to find a doctor or nurse to carry out the test.
Although this is a victory for safety campaigners they are angered that the Government has rejected the call to lower the drink drive limit. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said, improving the way the current limit was enforced would have a bigger impact on the problem than reducing the amount motorists are allowed to drink.
So what will this mean for motorists? Initially, this will mean that suspected drink drivers will need to take a breath test at the police station and the results of which can be used in court. The next step is to introduce evidential breath tests to be taken at the roadside.
Alongside this tightening of current testing methods the Government are also introducing a new specific offence to punish motorists who are driving under the influence of drugs. This will bring UK laws in line with other countries such as Australia and Spain where it is illegal to drive with an illegal substance in your bloodstream.
Police will also be given roadside drug testing kits as soon as possible. Six such devices are currently being tested by the Home Office.
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