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Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to introduce random breath testing for alcohol. [16898]
Mr. Michael
The law already provides the police with wide powers to test drivers for drinking and driving: they may administer a test in the event of an accident or a moving traffic offence; of if they have cause to suspect a driver has alcohol in his body. These powers are used extensively. In England and Wales in 1996, it has been calculated that some 781,000 roadside breath tests were carried out, the highest number ever.My noble Friend the Minister for Roads is currently considering a number of options for improving road safety, including possible measures on drinking and driving.