HL Deb 16 June 1986 vol 476 c720WA
The Marquess of Ailesbury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can give statistics bearing upon the number of drivers arrested by motorised police on suspicion of being drunk, taken to a police station and there found to be sober.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

The available information is given in the table. It refers to all requirements made of drivers, by motorised and other police, to provide specimens for evidential analysis of alcohol. More detailed information is published annually in a Home Office statistical bulletinStatistics of Breath Tests, England and Wales; the issue for 1984, No. 18/85, was published on 25th June 1985.

REQUIREMENTS MADE OF DRIVERS(1) TO PROVIDE A SPECIMEN OF BREATH, BLOOD OR URINE FOR EVIDENTIAL ANALYSIS OF ALCOHOL:
England and Wales Numbers
Year Requirements to provide a specimen for evidential analysis of alcohol Specimens provided
On or below the legal limit in alcohol Above the legal limit in alcohol(2) Total
1980 85,000 15,800 64,100 80,000
1981 76,100 13,500 58,000 71,400
1982 86,000 13,900 66,600 80,500
1983 105,300 17,100(3) 79,500 96,600
1984 99,000 16,000(3) 74,500 90,500
(1) Following an initial breath test which was positive or was refused; or following arrest for impairment. Some persons, arrested in connection with other offences, may be required to provide an evidential sample without an initial breath test. Some persons may provide specimens in hospital rather than at a police station.
(2) An alcohol concentration of over 35 microgrammes/100 ml breath; over 80 mg/100 ml of blood or over 107 mg/100 ml urine.
(3) Includes cases where, following a positive evidential breath test, a blood or urine test was taken at the drivers' request and found to be negative.