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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from September 22 to today (September 27) and arrested 18 drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the six-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 2,588 drivers were required to conduct breath tests. Among them, 18 were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. Thirteen 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.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till now, the Police had breath tested 105,378 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 529 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested, and 465 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. 9
Ends/Monday, September 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:09
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