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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from May 20 to May 24 and arrested six drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the five-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 1,727 drivers were required to conduct breath tests. Among them, six were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. All of them were subsequently found to have proportions of alcohol in their breath exceeded the prescribed limit and 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, 2009 till today, the Police had breath tested 64,082 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 360 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested, and 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 will be conducting special RBT operations throughout the World Cup which commences on 11 June 2010 until 12 July 2010.
Police Report No. 2
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:48
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