Breath tests 'falling in the UK'

Date: 20/4/2012

Fewer motorists are being breathalysed in the UK, new figures suggest.

Data released by Brake has revealed the number of tests carried out in Britain declined by ten per cent in 2010 compared with the previous year.

Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the number of motorists breathalysed depending on where they live.

While North Wales Police checked 43 people for every 1,000 residents, this dropped to one test per 1,000 population in the West Midlands.

Senior Campaigns Officer at the road safety charity Ellen Booth said: "We desperately need greater priority given to roads policing by the government, to ensure drivers are made clear that they can't and won't get away with taking abhorrent and selfish risks."

Last month, the government launched a new THINK! campaign called Moment of Doubt, which aims to raise awareness of the consequences of a drink driving conviction and remind people that even one drink before getting behind the wheel is not worth the risk.

Posted by Sarah Bailey