New Dorset breathalyser lets police test suspected drink-drivers at roadside
Dorset Police is rolling out new roadside breathalysers that provide evidential samples at the scene
Dorset police have begun using a new breathalyser that allows officers to establish drink-driving readings at the roadside, speeding up the process of removing dangerous motorists from the county’s roads.
The Lion Intoxilyzer 9000 uses pulsed infrared technology to measure the amount of alcohol in a driver’s breath. Unlike previous roadside testing equipment, the device can provide an evidential sample without requiring a suspect to be taken into custody.
On its first use, a motorist reportedly provided a reading of 167 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – almost five times the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Police Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said the equipment would improve the precision and speed of drink-driving enforcement.
“This latest breath testing device improves the precision with which we can detect a drink driver and ensure they are taken off the road quicker,” he said.
Previously, motorists suspected of drink-driving would have had to provide an evidential sample at a police station.
Sergeant Cotterill said the delay could affect readings because the body continues to process alcohol after a person has been stopped.
“This could mean they subsequently were found to be under the legal limit when providing an evidential sample,” he said.
The new technology allows officers to obtain the evidential reading at the scene, eliminating that potential discrepancy and reducing the time officers spend dealing with suspected drink-drivers in custody.
Cotterill said this would allow Roads Policing officers to return to patrol more quickly and identify other motorists who could pose a danger to road users.
Police describe drink-driving as one of the “fatal five” road traffic offences. Since the beginning of 2023, 113 people have been killed or seriously injured in Dorset collisions where impairment or being affected by alcohol was a contributing factor, according to the force.
The new equipment is intended to strengthen efforts to prevent people from driving or riding under the influence of alcohol.
Cotterill said Dorset Police was pleased to be among the first forces in the country to use the technology, adding that officers would continue looking for new ways to improve road safety.