Breathalyser locks to tackle drink-driving

A POLICE force is to hand out breathalysers that will lock the cars of drivers who are over the limit.

Durham police will pilot the scheme to fit alcohol “interlocks”, which make drivers take a breath test before setting off and then at random points during a journey.

The devices are commonplace in the US and Denmark and are being offered to motorists on a voluntary basis.

They will be handed out free to anyone in the force area who wants one as part of a bid by police to cut the number of road accidents.

Detective Inspector Andy Crowe, who is leading the Durham initiative, said it was a first for the UK and aims to help police “identify and deal with potential drink-drivers before they even get behind the wheel”.

“A number of offenders in our area have a problematic relationship with alcohol and we hope, as part of a wider programme, this will help them address their issues,” he said.

The pilot is being run as part of the force’s Checkpoint programme, which aims to cut crime by focusing on offender behaviour.

Ron Hogg, the police and crime commissioner for Durham, said: “The Government has assessed the evidence from other countries and concluded that alcohol interlocks are effective and cost-effective in reducing re-offending.”