The Minister of Transport yesterday tabled legislation yesterday to allow police to carry out roadside breath tests.

Walter Roban said the Road Traffic (Road Sobriety Checkpoints) Amendment Act would deter drink driving.

He told the House of Assembly the Bill would allow the senior magistrate to authorise the police to set up breath test checkpoints.

He said notice of checkpoints would be published in the Gazette and they would be “highly visible with signage posted alerting drivers” of their presence.

Mr Roban told MPs: “Road safety is essential for all road users. “Every year we are faced with the daunting reality of poor riding and driving practices that result in loss of life and many horrific injuries and lifetime disabilities — the vast majority of which are avoidable.

“This can no longer be tolerated — road safety is paramount in ending this dilemma.”

Mr Roban added that the Road Safety Strategy 2018-2023 aimed to:

• Reduce road crashes and fatalities by 25 per cent

• Introduce a comprehensive road safety education programme in schools

• Increase public awareness of road safety and road safety issues

• Decrease the number of drink drivers.