More drunk drivers on the roads

Since the introduction of the breathalyser in this country in 2010, some 1,100 people have been arrested, charged and made to pay hefty fines for  drunken driving. In addition, the number of motorists being arrested for infringing the law appears to be steadily increasing. Police statistics show that south and south- western districts have the highest number of breathalyser offences. Between 2010 and 2011, 647 drunk drivers were arrested and convicted in those divisions. Port-of-Spain had 40 offenders for the same period. Offenders face fines of up to $8000. Since its implementation hundreds of thousands of dollars have been paid to the State in fines. Given the continued increase in arrests and convictions, there are concerns that this country’s laws against drinking and driving are not being taken seriously.

 

Several police officers who conduct road exercises and conduct breathalyser tests told the T&T Guardian they did not believe motorists feared for the law or took it seriously. Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Public Information Officer Sgt Wayne Mystar, however, said in a statement that officers were “exercising their authority by enforcing the road traffic laws and adopting a zero tolerance.” He added that breathalyser testing “will assist officers in their quest to detect and to deter offences of this nature. “The law states that as long as an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person has been driving, attempting to drive, or has been in charge of a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol, that they may legally administer a preliminary breathalyser test,” Mystar said. He urged motorists to act responsibly and and warned that police officers would be out in their numbers throughout the Carnival season “to ensure that the road traffic laws are adhered to.”

 

According to Mystar, the Police Service was “equally concerned about every death caused by a road traffic collisions just as it is with every homicide. “Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents,” he said. “Having said that, a great level of responsibility is placed on the shoulders of all persons with the legal authority to drive a motor vehicle to obey the laws on the nation’s roads.” Arrive Alive president Brent Batson said: “We are pleading with everyone to remember that failing a breathalyser test is a criminal offence, not a ticketable offence and it has serious implications, especially for young people. “Please desiginate a driver if you are drinking for Carnival,” he said. Batson said that around the world, heavy drinking was usually associated with festive events such as Carnival. “Road traffic enforcement authorites prepare strict anti-drinking and driving messages and enforcement exercises,” he said.

 

“Carnival is not an excuse, but it’s the culture to have a good time. “We have to remember life has to go on after Carnival Tuesday.”  At present, officers use a hand-held device, the Alco Sensor FST to do field sobriety tests and the RBT 4 for evidential testing. “These intruments are efficient in detecting the alcohol content in a motorist’s breath,” Batson said. A senior police officer said: “To an extent it has been effective, but we cannot stop all these people...There are only so many we can stop and so many we can charge.

“From the response we have been getting, people have changed their drinking habits and they have started using designated drivers. “But from the facts that we have, it would not really reflect that. “I do not think the culture remains the same...some people have adhered and changed their drinking habits.” Batson said there were challenges in measuring the effectiveness of the breathalyser since there was no comparative data available for the period before its implementation. He added that highlighting 40 people charged for drinking and driving did not indicate the measure was ineffective. 

 

In fact, he said, it demonstrated an “increased detection rate.” He said: “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s anti drinking and driving exercises are actually showing an increased chance of being caught.”

Batson said the increased detention rate indicated a more serious societal problem. “The biggest gap that Arrival Alive is concerned with is that people are failing with very, very high readings on the breathalyser, some in excess of 100 microgrammes and usually this is indicative of deeper social problems such as alcoholism, and not just drinking and driving,” he said. The United States Embassy, in its safety tips for Carnival visitors, recognised the worrying issue of drunken driving, stating: “During Carnival, the risks of traveling on the roadways are much higher. A lot of alcohol is consumed, people drink and drive, and there is an increased number of vehicle accidents. Arrive Alive—do not drink and drive.” Batson said: “People still need to be educated...A strong anti-drinking and driving campaign is needed. “We applaud the Water Taxi service for offering sailings on Carnival Monday and Tuesday to take revellers from San Fernando to Port-of-Spain and back.” He said Arrive Alive is asking that the judicary be given alternative sentencing options “which are more in line with rehabilitation rather than punitive measures” such as mandatory enrolment in Alcoholics Anonymous programmes.