Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says drunk drivers and people who drive above the speed limit in Tobago will feel the full brunt of the law.
The sister isle has been plagued by a number of accidents caused by drunk drivers speeding on weekends after feting at bars. In the last month, there have been three road fatalities along the Claude Noel Highway. In the latest incident last Friday, David King and Hector Kennedy lost their lives after their vehicles collided head-on along the Claude Noel Highway in Lowlands.
Speaking to Guardian Media about the frequency of such incidents and how he plans to deal with them, Griffith said, “We had 36 breathalyser technicians completing their retraining on Friday last. The station commanders were tasked with doing a number of DUI exercises on a weekly basis, especially on a weekend and festive days, high visibility patrols on the roadways and speed exercises.”
Griffith said there will also be a crackdown on bars to deal with those bar owners who sell alcohol to underage drinkers. He said he has also advised fete promoters and carnival band leaders of same, as there are reports of minors going to all-inclusive fetes and all-inclusive Carnival bands where alcohol is given to all patrons and masqueraders with no restrictions.
Griffith said bartenders and establishments will feel the full brunt of the law should they decide to sell liquor to a minor. He said attending an all-inclusive fete does not give bartenders and promoters the freedom to give alcohol to minors. Griffith said police will also be checking these fetes for other breaches in the law.