December 2, 2008 - NRSC - Breathalyser Programme Launched to Reduce Crashes This Christmas

Kingston, Jamaica – December 2, 2008  -  - The police, supported by the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), have launched an initiative to increase testing of drivers for alcohol levels in a bid to reduce road crashes and their several negative and costly consequences. Speaking at a demonstration of the new Breathalyser 8000 instrument at the Police Traffic Headquarters at Elleston Road in Kingston on December 2, Commanding Officer of the Traffic and Highway Division, Superintendent Fred Hibbert said the emphasis being placed at this time on discouraging persons from driving under the influence of alcohol, is timely, given the tendency of drivers to drink and drive from parties and other social events during December and January. He noted, “young men aged 20 to 28 are most at risk from crashes arising from drinking and driving”.

Executive Director of the National Road Safety Council, Mrs. Paula Fletcher, who also spoke at the demonstration, noted that so far this year 287 persons have died from traffic crashes, while 350 lives were lost last year. She pointed out that the NRSC is continuing its support of the efforts of the police to reduce road deaths through vigilance in detecting improper driving behavior, testing drivers for alcohol consumption and encouraging motorists to cut their speed.

“The Save 300 Lives campaign, which we are now rolling out, aims to keep the number of road fatalities for 2008 below 300,” she added.  In addition to supporting effective detection by the police, the campaign will be utilizing public education as the main tool to achieve this objective.

Inspector Dennis Wright, Sub Officer in charge of the Ferry Police Station, is reminding motorists that refusal to submit to the breathalyzer test is itself an offence that can result in the motorist serving up to 6 months in prison if so ordered by a Resident Magistrate. “The person who refuses to do the test will also end up spending a longer time with the police,” he added. The penalty for a driver proven to have been driving while over the legal alcohol limit of 35 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millileters of breath is also a maximum of 6 months in prison or a $3,000 fine. Persons can also have their driver’s licence suspended.

The police are reporting that, as a part of their efforts to reduce the high level of crashes on our roads which cause injury or death, the operation of the breathalyzer programme has been strengthened.  This is being done by strategically deploying Breathalyzer Evidence machines throughout the island. Twenty new machines were acquired and deployed within the last year. In addition there has been an increase in the number of officers who are trained to administer the Breathalyzer Test.   As a result it will be possible to test a larger number of drivers whose behaviour warrant intervention under this programme.

As provided by the Road Traffic Act, the police will be testing all drivers who are involved in crashes to determine if they are over the legal limit.    The police will also be monitoring driver behaviour for signs of alcohol consumption. Such signs include careless driving, excessive speeding, improper overtaking and other moving violations. Checks will done islandwide with particular emphasis on roads that are in the vicinity of dances, clubs, shows, fairs and parties.