HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 cc567-8W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of the fact that an electronic portable and personal breathalyser machine has been perfected in Sweden, whether he will advise motorists to purchase and use one of these machines before driving; and whether he will arrange discussions with vehicle builders to have these built into vehicles on a statutory basis in the same way as seat belts.

Mr. Horam

No. The unsupervised use of such instruments before driving can be misleading, both because of the effects of mouth alcohol and because the blood alcohol level may go on rising for some time after driving begins.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why he will not use part of the money allocated for the seat belt campaign to initiate a campaign to supply a breathalyser testing station at or near to the entrance of a public house or the parking ground where motorists can use, on a voluntary basis, a breathalyser before entering their vehicles.

Mr. Horam

Because I do not believe it desirable to encourage motorists to rely on tests carried out before driving, when their blood alcohol content may still be rising.