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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from October 29 till today (November 2) and arrested sixteen drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the five-day operation codenamed "QuickChaser", a total of 2,098 drivers were required to conduct random breath tests (RBT). Among them, fifteen were unable to pass the screening breath tests and were arrested. All of them were subsequently found to have failed the evidential breath tests. In addition, one driver refused to be tested and was also arrested. All of them would be charged with the relevant offences.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till today, Police had breath tested 117,131 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 593 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested, and 510 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. 21
Ends/Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:09
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