Previously, motorists have been able to request a blood sample to be taken – a concession to the days when breath tests were introduced, replacing blood tests.
A motorist giving a breath sample containing 40mcg of alcohol or more in 100ml of breath in a roadside test will be transferred to the police station for a more formal breath test. The option to choose a blood sample is to be withdrawn, bringing the islands in line with the UK.
A police spokesman said that breath testing equipment had been shown to be consistently reliable and accurate since it was introduced 35 years ago.
Later this year new laws will be introduced to strengthen powers to tackle drug-driving and hazardous driving.
‘Drink-driving is unacceptable. We all know that now, and we all know it puts you and anyone else around you in danger,’ said the spokesman. ‘Drink-driving and drug-driving have far-reaching consequences on people’s lives. We are committed to make our roads safe for all users.’
The legal limit for alcohol in breath remains 35mcg in 100ml of breath.
Two motorists were taken off the roads when they appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to face drink-driving charges.
Tiago Da Silva, 31, of George Street, St Peter Port, was seen to turn off the Weighbridge Roundabout into St Julian’s Avenue without signalling in the early hours of Sunday morning. His vehicle also veered to the other side of the road. He was stopped by police and immediately admitted that he should not have been driving.
A breath test at the police station revealed 75mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Defending, Advocate David Domaille said his client knew he had made a big mistake.
Judge Gary Perry said this had been a high reading and the defendant had potentially caused real danger to other road users. He fined him £900 and suspended his driving licence for two-and-a-half years.
In the same court Elvis Bennett, 35, of Fort Road, St Peter Port, pleaded guilty to an offence earlier this month. The court was told that a friend of the defendant’s had been involved in an accident in Ruette Braye. Bennett stopped to help and a police officer suspected that he had been drinking. He failed a roadside breath test, and an evidential test at the police station revealed 42mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Advocate Domaille said his client had wanted to help his friend and the officer had asked him for a witness statement.
He said he had drunk three ciders since noon that day.
Judge Gary Perry said he noted the defendant’s co-operation at the scene. He was fined £500 and banned from driving for 12 months.
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