THE latest mobile evidential breath test machine has been rolled out for use in Dorset improving how officers can catch drink drivers.

The Lion Intoxilyzer 9000 measures the amount of alcohol found in a motorist using pulsed infrared technology on a breath sample.

As it is an evidential form of testing, a sample can be taken at the roadside where previously this would need to be taken in custody, slowing down the process.

The device is now in use across the county by the Roads Policing Team.

On Tuesday, 18 August, the breathalyser was used for the first time in Dorset. The motorist reportedly provided a reading of 167 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is nearly five times the legal drink drive limit of 35 micrograms.

Police Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said: "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.

"The breathalyser saves time when providing an evidential test, allowing our team to be out and about on the roads more, identifying those who may potentially cause harm to other road users.

"Previously, when someone was brought into custody to provide an evidential sample their body continues to process the alcohol and the reading provided would be different to that taken at the roadside. This could mean they subsequently were found to be under the legal limit when providing an evidential sample.

"This new evidential roadside testing eliminates this issue and means we can take more dangerous motorists off the road.

"Drink driving is one of the fatal five road traffic offences and a motorist driving under the influence can kill or seriously injure another road user in a road traffic collision. Since the beginning of 2023, 113 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions where being impaired or affected by alcohol was a contributing factor.

"This latest equipment strengthens our mission to stop anyone from driving or riding while under the influence of alcohol.

"We are really pleased to be one of the first forces across the country using this new equipment and will always look to utilise the latest technology to keep everyone safe across Dorset."