Only 2% of motorists were breathalysed in 2009
Posted by Tom Benjamin
Only two per cent of the UK's motorists were breathalysed in 2009 after police officers suspected they were driving while over the maximum alcohol limit.
This is according to a new report titled Police Powers and Procedures – England and Wales 2009/10, published by the Home Office.
"During 2009, there were 813,288 screening breath tests carried out. This is a 14 per cent increase from 711,658 in 2008," the report stated.
It goes on to say that this increase coincides with the introduction of more accurate digital recording equipment.
The report suggests that this new equipment could have streamlined breath test procedures for many police forces across the nation.
In 2009, some 93,973 breath tests were either refused or recorded as positive, which is a three per cent increase on the 91,666 seen in 2008.
Last month, the government announced that it was not going to lower the drink-drive limit but would create a specific law relating to drug-driving.
