The police already carry out random breath-tests. They are entitled to stop anyone they see driving in an unorthodox manner. If they reasonably suspect a moving-traffic offence, they can breath-test you. The shock is the number of drivers acting so as to give the impression they have been drinking.

sweetalkinguy, bourne, lincolnshire

I don't like using terms like real criminals , however limited space means you have to focus on one point . I would rather be able to walk the streets safely . This should be the priority . Have you seen the Drink driving stats lately ? Is this problem getting worse ? No . Fund raiser and safe .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Random testing is common place in New Zealand particularly in a location where drivers are likely to take a chance. It doesnt improve motorist/police relations but it does make a hell of a lot of people think hard about their drink levels. Just dont drink and drive, so simple.

mike gee, bournemouth, uk

I should imagine all those banging their drum and complaining about these new powers would have a dramatic change of heart should they or someone they care about be the victim of a drunk driver.

Louise, Leeds,

If police chiefs don't have the guts to stand up to government over this plan then they will surely deserve all the public anger and frustration that will come their way. Support among many sections of the public for the police is at a low level and this will only make matters worse.

Jason, London,

Theres something fundamentally wrong with being presumed guilty until proven innocent. Another erosion of civil liberties hiding behind a mask of justification for a cause you can't morally object to. Insidious and, more worryingly, accelerating now that time is nearly up.

anthony, Brum,

While we're stopped, why not take a DNA sample too, and have a look at our bank accounts, and our phone records, and what we've been eating too. I mean, we have no rights left in this country anyway, so why not just make us do what we're told from the start?

Arthur, Newcastle,

Ah yes, nice safe one ,this. None of those nasty thugs to deal with, and then rush back to station to do the paperwork.

ronnie, vucks, UK

Thats right Benzo so they will test anybody coming out of a pub and getting into a car and driving away, thats targetting and using random powers that dont presently genuinely exist. The threat of that is intended to save peoples lives which has a policing priority.

alan, worcs, UK

Some might say that the is preventing police stopping real criminals, however i say this is rubbish. People must look at the potential damage caused by drink drivers and they would see this can be far worse than the so called "real criminals".

Carl Duranthon , Milton Keynes, Bucks

The government has taken your right to self defense, now, the right of presumption of innocence. This is called harassment, not policing.
Anyone who thinks it's ok for a stranger to rifle through their wallet or next, their house must be naive or ignorant of their rights.

gishere, phoenix, usa

Welcome to the police state! By the way, how many people are killed by the NHS each year due to C-Diff etc? Is this really the priority?

Dean, Manea, Cambs

'Who has anything to fear except lawbreakers? ' . Good question , however, with more police randomly stopping mainly innocent people , that is less police hours devoted to catching real criminals . So the law breakers actually have less to fear too . It's about using your time effectively .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

And why not? Who has anything to fear except lawbreakers?

And while they're at it, they ought to test for drugs.

ben foster, wokingham,