National first as Merseyside Police deploy evidential roadside drink-driving technology

Merseyside Police has become the first force in the UK to deploy evidential roadside alcohol-testing technology in a bid to detect and deter drink-driving among returning holidaymakers.

The new technology is being introduced as part of Operation Take Off, a proactive intervention campaign targeting post-holiday drink-driving. The initiative follows the deaths of eight-month-old Zackary Blades and his aunt, Karlene Warner, who were killed in May 2024 by a driver leaving Newcastle Airport who was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Evidential roadside alcohol testing allows officers to charge motorists at the roadside for drink-driving offences. Previously, an initial screening test would be followed by the requirement for an evidential sample in custody, potentially several hours later.

The first night of the operation took place on a popular route out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with officers targeting drivers who may have consumed alcohol either before boarding or during their return flight.

Merseyside Roads Policing Inspector Gavin Dixon emphasised the significance of the technology in tackling drink-driving:

“It might not sound like a major breakthrough, but being able to charge people at the roadside for drink-driving could make the difference between securing a prosecution and losing one.

“If someone blows over the limit in a roadside breath test, we have traditionally needed to take them into custody and obtain an evidential sample before any charge can be brought. During that time, their body continues to process the alcohol.

“That means we can sometimes find ourselves in the frustrating position where a driver who was clearly over the limit at the roadside is no longer providing a sample high enough to meet the evidential threshold by the time they reach custody. Evidential roadside testing removes that risk entirely.

“Merseyside Police has a strong history of being an early adopter of technology that helps prevent serious and fatal collisions. While this technology is available to forces across the country, we are proud to be the first to deploy it operationally.

“It is particularly meaningful to take this step as part of Operation Take Off. The tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Zackary and Karlene demonstrate exactly why this proactive approach is needed. Every improvement we can make in detecting and prosecuting those who drive under the influence is vital.

“If someone has been drinking before boarding their flight home, or while travelling, and believes that somehow they can get behind the wheel without consequence, they should think again. We now have the ability to remove them from the road immediately and begin the process of bringing them to justice.”

Alongside the new evidential roadside breath-testing technology, Merseyside Police is also trialling a nitrous oxide detection device to determine whether breath sampling, rather than blood testing, could improve detection rates for drivers suspected of using the substance.

The force is also continuing its anti-drink and drug-driving football campaign, which has, since the start of the World Cup, resulted in 266 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.