Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: Cars should have alcohol sensors, says former Government advisor

Professor David Nutt, President of the British Neuroscience Association and a former drug advisor to the Government, has suggested alcohol sensors should be fitted in all cars.

These devices would require drivers to breathe into them and be within the legal drink-drive limit for the car to start.

This is just one of a number of Professor Nutt’s proposals to reduce road injuries caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.

Other suggestions include imposing shorter licensing hours and creating drinks which give people a moderate ''buzz'' but do not impair driving ability or reaction times."

In an interview with the BBC, Professor Nutt said other countries use the in-car breath-testers to ensure people convicted of drink-driving do not take to the wheel. His is a more radical idea as it would have the ‘alcolocks’ installed in all cars.

Edmund King, the AA President, countered the proposals saying: ''There is a voluntary scheme of 'alcolocks' at the moment but I don't think Professor Nutt's plan is practical. 

''Our message is that no one who drives should drink. If that message gets across and the police target drink-drivers and breathalyse more people, then you don't need new devices.

In other news, a poll by Motorpoint found 58 percent of UK motorists would not be comfortable with using a self-driving car.

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