Thumbs up for 'Alcolocks'

The latest measure in the war against drink driving is the 'Alcolock' - a device that prevents a car being started unless the driver has provided a negative breath test.   With a limited trial already underway in Bristol and Birmingham, plans for 'alcohol interlocks' to be part of a larger pilot scheme and then rolled out nationally are outlined in the Road Safety Bill.

In Sweden it is proposed that all new cars will have an Alcolock by 2012, and lorries and buses will have them before then.

Alcolocks enjoy support from both road safety campaigners and motoring organisations in the UK.

"Theses devices will prove useful - the evidence from overseas does suggest they are effective in reducing the likelihood of a drink driver re-offending," said Roger Vincent of RoSPA.

And the RAC Foundation's Kevin Delaney says Alcolocks could play a major part in bringing the treatment of drink-drivers into the 21st century.

For further information go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk