Random breath testing to stay in force

Police Minister Graham Edwards says random breath testing will remain in force, despite a 25 per cent reduction in drink-related fatalities since its introduction.

"Latest survey figures show that in the last three years, fatalities involving at least one driver above the 0.08 blood alcohol level fell from 70 to 51," Mr Edwards said.

"Despite that, alcohol was still involved in almost one quarter of all WA road fatalities for 1991, which I find disturbing.

"It is also the reason the Government pursued the 0.05 limit so determinedly."

Mr Edwards said the Salvation Army deserved commendation for launching Alcohol Awareness Week to draw attention to drinking problems in the community.

"Changing attitudes requires combined community effort, which is why Thursday's road safety summit in Bunbury has been geared heavily towards public participation," he said.

The Minister said the latest RBT survey found that 87 per cent of metropolitan drivers approved of random breath testing.  Approval rating among country motorists was 86 per cent.

During 1991 more than 630,000 drivers were stopped for RBT, more than half undertaking a preliminary breath test.  Less than one per cent of drivers stopped were charged with a drink driving offence.

Since the introduction of RBT there was also an average 2.8 per cent fall in night-time accidents requiring hospitalisation.

"These type of crashes are more likely to involve drinking drivers, which further indicates that RBT has been a successful deterrent," Mr Edwards said.