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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from October 9 to 12 and arrested seven drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the four-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 882 drivers were required to conduct breath tests. Among them, seven were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. Six of them subsequently failed the evidential breath tests and would be charged with the relevant offences.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till now, the Police had breath tested 109,804 drivers in various random breath tests (RBT) operations. Among them, 558 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested, and 486 were subsequently 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. 16
Ends/Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:48
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