NORTH Yorkshire police chief David Kenworthy has claimed road tax dodgers are more likely to also commit drink-drive offences.

The chief constable wants new powers to allow the police to breathalyse drivers who are caught with an out-of-date road tax disc or who do not have one at all.

He believes it is "quite possible" people who do not maintain their car properly are more likely to engage in criminal acts.

The claim was made during a House of Lords Select Committee investigation

into whether the current blood alcohol limit for driving should be lowered from 80mg per 100ml to 50mg.

Mr Kenworthy, who represents the Association of Chief Police Officers on road traffic issues, said he believed the legal limit should be lowered to this level.

He wants an end to the "game" being played by drivers who try to get as close to the 80mg limit as possible without crossing the threshold.

He said: "If you go to a party, people think 'How many pints can I have?' or 'How many glasses of wine can I have?'

"You also get into a situation where people are saying 'I am a man, so I can have more than a woman'.

"We are failing to get the message over that if you are driving you should not drink at all."

He stopped short of saying the blood-alcohol limit should be reduced to zero - pointing out people can have traces in their blood for reasons otherthan drinking.

But he said police officers could be given extra powers to deter people thinking of drink-driving even further.

These include the right to insist on a breath test from people without road tax or a broken light above their registration plate.

At present, these offences are not covered by road traffic law and officers can only insist on a test where drivers are suspected of having been drinking - such as having alcohol on their breath - have committed a

traffic offence or have been involved in an accident.

Mr Kenworthy told the select committee last night: "Home Office research has shown those who drive deficient vehicles might also be criminals as

well.

"There therefore could be a link to drink-driving as well."

Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, March 05, 2002