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25. 11. 09. - 13:00

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25. 11. 09. - 13:00

Car drink-driving device considered

By Thomas Hochwarter

Convicted drink drivers may be forced to fit special breathalysers in their cars under new plans unveiled by the Infrastructure and Traffic Minister yesterday (Tues).

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Minister Doris Bures said a pilot project for "risk drivers" was being considered.

The system – in which special breathalysers are fitted in cars which drivers must blow into before they can start their car engine - is already in action in Sweden while Belgium and Spain are running pilot projects.

Othmar Thann, Director of the Austrian Committee for Traffic Safety (KfV), said he hoped insurance companies as well as car clubs Arbö and ÖAMTC would support the plan.

But Arbö officials have suggested first seeing whether a recently introduced traffic safety package – including a list of stricter rules and higher fines for driving offences – is a success.

Austrian Times

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