§ 2.39 p.m.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that their drink-driving campaign over the holiday period was successful.
1068§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)My Lords, Yes. The media response to the launch of the Christmas campaign was excellent and the subject was given wide coverage throughout the holiday period. Surveys indicate that the campaign has made a considerable impact, although we must wait for definitive figures. There is welcome evidence of a hardening of attitudes against the drinking driver, but drinking and driving remains our most serious road safety problem. There will be no let-up in the Government's efforts to deal with it.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, I welcome the overall drop in the number of positive breath tests and accidents. Does the Minister agree that the reduction is small and that is some parts of the country the figures increased considerably? Is not the main lesson to be learnt—I think that the Minister has already said this—that there are no grounds for complacency? Is the time not now appropriate to introduce random breath testing?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I agree that there are no grounds for complacency. One needs to take the figures for random breath tests which have so far been given with a certain amount of caution because we have not yet had the figures for the overall number of tests. They will not be available for a little while. We shall have to wait a little to obtain the percentage of positive breath tests.
With regard to random breath testing, the police already have wide powers under the legislation. They can stop at random. They can test if they have reasonable cause to suspect the presence of alcohol in a driver's body, if a moving traffic offence is committed or if an accident is involved.
Lord InglewoodMy Lords, has my noble friend any information relevant to these campaigns in neighbouring countries so that it can be compared with what has happened here?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, we keep closely in touch with the United States, Canada and Australia. Despite some dramatic changes in those countries, they are no more successful overall in containing the problem than we are.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, would it be possible to increase the number of police officers and vehicles on the motorways? I am sure that all Members of the House and the Minister will agree that the very appearance of a police officer in his vehicle on a motorway or on a major road has a dramatic and worthwhile effect, irrespective of whether drivers are drunk.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, enforcement is a matter for the police. Their efforts reflect society's demands. They take their responsibilities seriously every day, not just in the holiday season. Last year there were 120,000 convictions for drink-driving.
§ Lord WigoderMy Lords, are the Government aware that on the Continent random testing is 1069 extensively carried out and meets with remarkably little resentment from sober drivers?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord is correct. The question is whether police resources are better spent in random breath testing or in using their already extensive powers.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, does the noble Lord appreciate that I agree with what he says about the success of the publicity campaign? He said that there were no definitive figures. When those figures are available, will adequate publicity be given to an analysis of them?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am sure that when the figures are eventually available from the police forces a good deal of publicity will be given to them. We are encouraged by the amount of attention that the media are now giving to this subject, not through paid publicity but through editorial coverage. That is encouraging.
§ Lord De FreyneMy Lords, would the noble Lord answering on this subject today take into account the quality of vision; that is, the eye rather than the breath?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, this Question is related to drink-driving and there is no doubt that the effect of drink on people's ability to drive, however well they may think they drive, is fairly dramatic.
§ Lord Dormand of EasingtonMy Lords, in view of the improvement brought about by this short campaign, will the Government now consider continuing the campaign against drink-driving?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, our campaign nowadays is targeted to three phases throughout the year: July, October and December. We plan to continue that in the coming year.