Breathalysers could be fitted inside the vehicles of convicted drink- drivers under new government proposals.

The Department for Transport is looking into installing so-called “alcolocks” - fitted on all French coaches - onto vehicles to prevent them from starting unless the driver passes an alcohol breath test.

In France, convicted drink-drivers can already avoid driving bans if they fit the alcolocks.

When fitted, drivers have to first blow into the breathalyser before their engine is able to start. They are then required to blow a second time which is set randomly at between five and 30 minutes later to check that they are still under the limit, with the aim of preventing someone else starting the car for them.

Currently, anyone found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol in the UK can be imprisoned, banned from driving or face an unlimited fine.

The new proposals come amid debates around the new EU rules that require every new car built after May 2022 to be fitted with alcohol detectors as well as anti-speeding devices to alert drivers when they break legal limits.

In March, the European Parliament agreed that all new vehicles will need to have an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) limiter as standard.