Police to test all drivers following a collision

All forty-three forces in England and Wales will aim to increase the number of drivers being breath-tested, including every motorist involved in a collision, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

The campaign, which runs until July 5, aims to cut the annual alcohol-related death toll on the roads, which has risen by 130 a year between 1998 and 2004.

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead on roads policing and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, said: "Drivers need to be responsible in their attitude to drinking and driving or being under the influence of drugs, either illicit or prescribed, and being unfit to drive.

"The police service is unwilling to tolerate this type of offending and it is our intention to crackdown heavily during this campaign."

He added: "Enforcing the law in this area is essential in reducing death and injury on the road. During this campaign every driver who is involved in a collision, irrespective of whether they are suspected of an offence of drink driving or not, or whether they are blameworthy, will be breath tested."

'Unfit to drive'

Police officers are also growing increasingly concerned about the number of motorists driving under the influence of drugs.

During the Christmas drink-driving campaign "fit to drive" roadside tests were carried out on 540 motorists suspected of being impaired by illegal drugs, leading to the arrest of 178 people, or 33% of those tested.

"Officers will also be looking for drivers whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs, the numbers of which are increasing," said Meredydd Hughes.

"If an officer suspects that a person is unfit to drive through the use of drugs, then they can be subjected to a field impairment test. This test will consist of an examination of the eye pupils and four psycho-physical tests which will indicate whether a person's ability to drive is impaired. If it is deemed to be the case then the courts can impose the same penalties as for drink driving."

A recent poll suggested that as many as one in five (20%) of young motorists take to the road every day while high on illegal drugs. The impact of prescription drugs on driving is also seen as a growing problem.

Football celebrations

The campaign also appeared to have been timed to coincide with the World Cup, although ACPO denied that police would be singling out football fans.

An ACPO spokesperson said: "The football World Cup commences on the 9 June and will be a time for people to celebrate either in their own home, other people's homes, or by going to a local pub.

"This often involves drinking alcohol. That is fine providing that once they have done this they do not get in a car and drive or on their motorbike. This campaign is not targeted at football fans, it is targeted at anyone who drives illegally whilst under the influence of drink or is impaired through drugs."

Chief Constable Hughes added: "The message for this summer is if you are a car driver or motorcyclist and you intend to have a drink, either leave your vehicle at home or ensure that someone who has not had a drink drives. Don't put yours or other people's lives at risk."