A new product is available that could help reduce the thousands of alcohol-related accidents and casualties that still occur each year.

It tests a driver's alcohol level and, if necessary, uses a wireless system to automatically prevent the car, van, coach or lorry's engine from starting.

The Alcolock 500 is a new, hand-held 'Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device' with a Police-standard breathalyser that can be programmed to a pre-set or zero-tolerance alcohol limit which the driver has to use before being able to start the vehicle.

The Alcolock 500 can remove any doubt if drivers of a car, coach or lorry have excess alcohol in their bodies and can drive responsibly, and legally. This is especially relevant for fleet managers with increasing legal responsibilities to ensure, and demonstrate, their drivers are operating at appropriate standards to protect themselves, as well as any passengers or other road users.

Parents with young drivers using their cars and drink driving offenders will also welcome the Alcolock 500.

The release of the Alcolock 500 in the UK comes as pressure is being put on Westminster to lower the drink driving limit from 80mg/100ml to 50mg, as Britain becomes more aware of the dangers of drink driving.

David Whittock, joint managing director of Alcolock GB, said: "We are delighted to introduce the Alcolock 500 to the UK as it could make a valuable contribution to road safety and, most importantly, save lives."

"We've already had a lot of interest from driving schools, fleet managers and coach and road haulage companies, and initial trials have proved very successful."

Robert Gifford, of PACTS (Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety), commented: "Drink driving is a problem that needs a multiple solution. We need new ways of dealing with the habitual offender and the Alcolock is one such solution."

The Alcolock 500 can store results of up to 4,000 breath samples which can be downloaded or provide automatic reports. For the driver's convenience, the Alcolock does not have to be used if the vehicle is restarted within 30 minutes, while for vehicles with multiple drivers, a 'drivers reset button' logs the change of driver and immobilises it until the Alcolock 500 produces a positive result.

Alcolocks are already used in Sweden, Canada, North America and Australia, and could soon become a legal requirement in Europe.

For example, the Swedish Government is already drafting legislation to have Alcolocks fitted to all new buses and trucks by 2010, and cars by 2012.