which should have a sobering effect on Bermuda's drivers this summer.

To Police, the new alco-analyser is the dream machine. But to the rest of us ... well, it's more like the mean machine.

Previously, drunk-drivers could only get tested up to 200 milligrams of alcohol.

Now, however, Police can obtain readings as high as 500 milligrams.

The ultra-sensitive machines can also detect substances such as paint strippers, which make people feel dizzy and drowsy in the same way that alcohol does.

"In this way we can ensure people don't end up in court for drinking excess alcohol, when the problem is caused by some other substance,'' explained Sgt.

Cyril Plant, who recently gave a demonstration of the alco-analysers to the Press.

He added: "There are more built-in tests in these devices than the old ones.'' The Police have taken delivery of two of these British-made $6,000 machines.

They are both at Hamilton Police Station.

Sgt. Plant said, as with the old alco-analysers, suspected drunk-drivers breathed into them through a nozzle.

Alcohol readings were then made with the help of an infra-red beam in an inner chamber.

The beam was blocked by alcohol vapours, enabling a calculation of the drink level to be made, explained Sgt. Plant.

"Three copies of the readings are taken -- one is given to the subject, another to the court, if necessary, and the third is kept by the Police.'' Sgt. Plant said the highest reading given so far was 258 milligrams of alcohol.

"One of the reasons we are giving this demonstration is to alert the public in time for the summer,'' he added.

THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK! -- Sgt. Cyril Plant gives a demonstration of one of the two new alco-analysers at Hamilton Police Station.