§ 71. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the reasons for the fact that the reduction in the number of road accidents following the introduction of breathalyser tests has not been maintained; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that the law in this field is more effective in reducing accidents in future.
§ Mr. RossI am studying the casualty figures, with the help of the Road Research Laboratory. It has emerged, for example, that during the period 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the first year there was a steady reduction in fatalities of about 28 per cent.; and that during these hours there was also a considerable reduction in serious and slight casualties, but that this was not maintained in the later months at its initial level.
When these studies are complete I will consider what further action is needed; but since the Act came into operation there has been a steady increase in the number of breath tests required by the police, and I have no evidence that the law is not being adequately enforced.