Officers will breath-test any motorist suspected of drinking, not just those involved in accidents
Police will step up a road safety campaign by demanding drivers suspected to have been drinking to take a breath test, even if they have not been involved in an accident.
Although police are already empowered to test any driver thought to have been drinking, in practice only those involved in accidents are tested.
Chief Superintendent Alfred Ma Wai-luk, head of the force's public relations bureau, said the move was intended to help meet the goal of improving road safety - a target set for the force this year by Police Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai.
'If there is reason to believe that drivers are under the influence of alcohol, we will require them to take a breath test,' Mr Ma said. The stepped-up enforcement would not require any legislative amendments, he added.
Drink-drivers face a maximum fine of $25,000 and up to three years' imprisonment.