DRIVERS have cleared shelves of DIY electronic breathalyser kits after Scotland's new alcohol limit.
Some stockists were taken by surprise by the demand for hand-held devices in the days before the new drink drive limit came into force last Friday as drivers moved to keep themselves legal.
The new law in Scotland lowered the blood alcohol limit to 50mg limit from 80mg in every 100ml of blood.
Now one pint or a glass of wine can be enough to put drivers over the limit.
In Inverness, stockists were cleaned out of kits and new stocks swiftly arranged for any area in Scotland where supplies ran low.
Halfords, which specialises in motoring accessories, was sold out of certain makes of breathalyser as it moved to keep up with demand, while some people also had difficulty trying to purchase kits online.
The firm said it was replenishing stocks where required and added that drivers should still be able to obtain a test as it keeps up with the surge in sales with the law change
Last week ahead of the new limit coming into effect on Friday sales were up by 130% across Scotland compared with the previous week.
Jess Wilkins, Halfords travel equipment buyer, said: "We have experienced unprecedented customer demand for electronic and single use breathalysers since the new legislation to lower blood alcohol limits was introduced on December 5.
"Last week we saw a 130% rise in the number of breathalysers sold in comparison with the week before, well ahead of our predictions.
"The increase clearly shows that customers are heeding advice and taking the dangers very seriously and we are replenishing stock levels as quickly as possible to ensure that we are able to meet customer demand."
A Halfords spokeswoman added: "I can confirm that we still have plenty of the 0.5 single use breathalysers available in stores in Scotland, but are currently working to replenish stock of our 0.5 electronic breathalysers following unprecedented demand."
Police Scotland's North Area Commander Chief Superintendent Julian Innes issued a warning to those relying on the kits.
He said: "It's really interesting to find out that there's been an increase in people buying these testing kits for drink driving.
"There's a real determination of people in the Highlands not to put themselves over the new drink drive limit.
"However you get what you pay for. Kits in shops aren't calibrated, unlike the kind the police use. The kits only give an indication.
"If anyone tries to rely on one of these then they must look at tolerance levels and how accurate they are.
"If you buy a kit for £2 don't be surprised if it's not accurate.
"If you use one of these kits and they say you aren't over the limit and you get stopped and are over the limit, it's no defence and we will deal with you.
"If you are having to test yourself there's an element of doubt there, so my advice would be just don't drive."
Meanwhile in the Highland police division area, despite increased police patrols and extra checks, just two drink drivers, both women, were caught as the new lower legal limit came into effect at the weekend.
However police also confirmed that both, who gave breath tests, were also registered over the previous limit.
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