Drunk drivers with an alcohol lock fitted to their cars should not be prosecuted in court as well, the high court said on Tuesday.

Legislation enabling the central driving test organisation CBR to order alcohol locks came into effect in December 2011. Drivers caught with a blood alcohol level of at least 1.3 or over 0.2 for inexperienced drivers are required by law to have an alcohol lock fitted to their cars, which remains in place for two years.

The question has been whether drunk drivers should also be taken to court, or whether this would amount to a double punishment.

Last September a court in The Hague ruled that an alcohol lock and a prosecution would be a double punishment. The high court has now confirmed that ruling, the NRC reports.

The ruling is not retroactive and drivers with an alcohol lock who have also been taken to court for the same offence cannot ask for their case to be reviewed.