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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from October 16 to 19 and arrested five drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the four-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 1,244 drivers were required to conduct random breath tests (RBT). Among them, five were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. Three of them were subsequently found to have failed the evidential breath tests or refused to be tested 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 RBTs on drivers.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till today, Police had breath tested 111,869 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 564 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. 14
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:21
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