The European Commission is reported to be recommending that police in Britain carry out random breath tests in a bid to reduce drink driving.

Government Response: Home Office

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The police forces in the UK make effective use of their current powers and therefore the government thinks it is necessary to enhance their existing powers rather than create additional ones.

"Evidential roadside testing is something we are investigating, which will allow police to take breath tests at the side of the road that will stand up as evidence in court.

"But the government doesn't think the police should have unlimited powers to stop and test, as this would put unnecessary pressure on limited resources.

"Nor does it see the need for random breath-testing, which is inefficient in catching drink-drive offenders, particularly persistent ones."

Forum Response: Alcohol Concern

A spokesman for Alcohol Concern said: "Alcohol Concern supports a move towards random breath testing, because we  believe this would significantly cut the drink-related death toll on British roads.

"This rose from 460 deaths in 1999 to 530 in 2001 and again to 560 in 2002 - the last year for which there are official figures.

"Evidence in countries conducting random breath testing shows it can help reduce drink-related casualties.

"There was a 22 per cent decrease in deaths in the late 1990s in Australia, for example, where 82 per cent of motorists were breath  tested, compared with 16 per cent of drivers in the UK.

"Random breath tests also act as a deterrent against drink-driving.  Past public opinion polls in the UK have shown significant support for the measure - while the idea has also received support from senior police  representatives in the past.

"If random breath testing saves just a small number of lives - as it surely  would - it is hard to see the validity of arguments against the proposal.

"Notwithstanding this, the only sensible advice to drivers is not to get  behind the wheel if they have drunk any alcohol at all."