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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from December 12 to 16 and arrested 23 drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the five-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", 60 roadblocks and snap checks were mounted and a total of 1,232 drivers were required to conduct breath tests. Among them, 23 drivers were unable to pass the screening breath tests or refused to be tested and were arrested. Twenty of them were subsequently found to have proportions of alcohol in their breath exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested and they would be charged with the relevant offences.
A Police spokesman said since the Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 has come into effect on February 9, 2009, police officers are empowered to conduct random breath test (RBT) on drivers.
A pre-screening device is used for RBT to speed up the testing process. Any driver who fails the "pre-screening breath test" will be required to undergo a "screening breath test" (SBT). The existing procedures to require drivers involving in a traffic accident, involving in a traffic offence or suspected of drink driving to undergo a SBT remain unchanged.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9 up to December 16, the Police had breath tested 36,105 drivers in various RBT operations. Among the 259 drivers failed the screening breath tests or refused to be tested, 207 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested were subsequently arrested for consideration of being charged with the relevant offences.
Motorists are reminded not to drive after consuming alcohol. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000, three years' imprisonment and to incur 10 driving-offence points.
The new legislation also raises the penalties on drink driving offences by disqualifying the offenders from driving for not less than three months on first conviction and not less than two years on second conviction. Drivers with drink driving conviction are required to attend Driving Improving Course on mandatory basis before they can get back their driving licenses. In addition, they may not be insured when being convicted for drink driving offences.
Police Report No. 5
Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:38
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