THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Police Service (TTPS) has hauled more than 600 drunk drivers before the courts this year and will continue to do so as it has taken a zero tolerance approach on this issue.
A release from the TTPS warned that its officers were on the roads and would be taking action against anyone who drinks and drives.
“Those drivers who still refuse to heed the warnings of the TTPS, the new DUI and Traffic Enforcement Task Force is operating with a zero tolerance approach and officers will arrest and charge drivers with readings of 36 and 37 micro-grammes i.e. just one or two micro-grammes over the legal limit,” stated the TTPS.
The release stated more than 600 drivers have been arrested, charged and brought before the courts for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offences for 2014 according to its records.
It added that over 300 Breath Alcohol Technicians were trained by the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch which has bolstered the overall strength of the Branch.
The TTPS stated further the resources of the Traffic Branch have been improved with a new Traffic Branch-DUI and Traffic Enforcement Task Force.
The TTPS stated it has implemented a two-pronged approach to improve safety on the roadways as follows:
1. Education: In 2013 the TTPS launched its “Roadsafe” campaign with an outreach to tertiary level institutions to engage young drivers.
During this campaign, institutions such as University of Trinidad and Tobago, University of the West Indies and the College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) were visited.
The TTPS stated residents of several communities were also sensitised through initiatives that involved the use of interactive games and activities as well as through the distribution of TTPS booklets about “Ticket-able Road Traffic Offences”. At the end of it all, persons walked away knowing that drivers who had a breath alcohol level in excess of the legal limit of 35 micro-grammes could be arrested without a warrant.
2. Enforcement. “Apart from the number of arrests for DUI offences, 20 repeat offenders were caught in DUI road blocks. The court imposed penalties included driving permit suspensions by magistrates,” stated the TTPS.
It noted that in 2009, an offender was made to pay a $2 000 fine and disqualified from driving for three months.
Another driver was fined $6 500 and disqualified from driving for three years.
“These approaches have led to a change in drivers’ behaviours since, in many cases, most drivers test either well below the limit or zero. Maxi-taxi associations have also provided feedback that they receive a lot more calls for transporting persons to parties thus reducing the risks of DUI,” stated the TTPS.
The release pointed out that in 2007 the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chap. 48:50 was amended to introduce the breathalyser, and since then the TTPS, Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch has arrested, charged and brought before the courts more than 3 000 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. (Express)
