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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from July 10 to 13 and arrested ten drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the four-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 1,866 drivers were required to conduct random breath tests (RBT). Among them, ten were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. Six of them were subsequently found to have failed the evidential breath tests 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 RBT on drivers.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till today, the Police had breath tested 80,289 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 442 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.
During the World Cup period (from June 11 to July 13 ), Police conducted 828 anti-drink driving operations and arrested 149 drivers.
Police Report No. 10
Ends/Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 23:24
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