Breathalysers
If you are pulled over by the police on suspicion of drink driving, you will probably have to do a breathalyser test. If you fail the test, you are over the legal drinking limit. Breathalysers can be attached to cars themselves. To start the car, you need to blow into the breathalyser and pass the test. If you fail, the car will not start.
Trial Run
A trial in Durham is attempting to find out whether this scheme stops drink driving. People who commit crimes where alcohol is a factor will have the option to have these ‘alcohol interlocks’. To provide adequate data to the survey, drivers will also have to pull over and do a test at random points in their drive.
People who have committed crimes in which alcohol was involved will be able to avoid prosecution if they take part in the scheme. Alcohol misuse does a great deal of damage to the emergency services infrastructure. If schemes such as this could lower the rate of drink driving, emergency services would not need to get involved.
Exceptions
However, would breathalysers always be a good thing? They test for any trace of alcohol in the breath. However, it is possible to have consumed a small quantity of alcohol without being over the limit or otherwise unable to drive. It has even been suggested that some foodstuffs such as Tiramisu could contain enough alcohol to put you over the limit.
If we want breathalysers to play a more significant role in cars, they need to be used sensibly. They could help keep drink drivers off the road, and still allow responsible drivers to carry on their lives. Breathalysers could also help insurance companies provide cheaper insurance. If risks can be kept low – then insurance prices will fall.
GAP Insurance Today can protect the value of your car if it is written off. Get in touch for a quote from only £29.