A FORMER Government chief drugs adviser has suggested there should be alcohol sensors in every car, but the safety proposal was described as "impractical" by the AA.

Under Professor David Nutt's proposal, all drivers would have to breathe into a device and be within the legal drink-drive limit before their car would start.

Mr Nutt is president of the British Neuroscience Association and a professor at Imperial College, London. He was sacked from his post as UK Government chief drugs adviser three years ago after clashing with Labour ministers over drugs policy.

The alcohol sensors plan is one of seven ways he suggests to reduce the harm caused by alcohol in his new book, Drugs – Without The Hot Air.

Mr Nutt said some countries use the in-car breath-testers, known as alcohol ignition interlock devices, to ensure people convicted of drink-driving do not take to the wheel.

He said: "You could potentially have it so that was true of all cars."

Commenting on the proposal yesterday, AA president Edmund King said: "There is a voluntary scheme of 'alcolocks' at the moment but I don't think Mr Nutt's plan is practical."