Kenny MacAskill has called for the Scottish Government to be given extra powers on road-traffic offences.
The Justice Secretary has written to UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin requesting the transfer of further powers to tackle drink driving. Police want the power to carry out breath tests "anytime, anywhere". At the moment, officers need "reasonable cause" or suspicion to stop and breathalyse a motorist.
The move comes ahead of this week's Scottish Parliament debate on the Scottish Government's proposals to reduce the drink-drive limit in Scotland.
MacAskill said: "This Government welcomes having the power to set the drink-drive limit, but the Scotland Act was a missed opportunity. The very limited transfer of powers did not go far enough."
A consultation seeking views on lowering the existing blood alcohol limit of 80mg per 100ml to 50mg per 100ml is already under way and closes on November 29.
The parliamentary debate on the issue takes place on Thursday.
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