Mandatory breathalyser test to deter drunk driving may be used during carnival season

by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada

• 2,911 fixed penalty tickets issued for the first half of 2019
• 997 accidents in the first half of 2019, of which 5 were fatalities
• Road Traffic Regulation amendment of 1 February 2018 provides for drivers to take a mandatory breathalyser test

The police are awaiting the passage of amendments made to the regulations regarding the use of breathalyser tests under Grenada’s Road Traffic Act.

It is expected that once the regulation is approved by government, this carnival season, drivers will be required to take a breathalyser test if pulled over by police for suspicion of drunk driving.

This was listed among strategies to be used by the RGPF as part of their 2019 carnival operations plans to curb the upsurge in motor vehicular accidents.

There have been 997 accidents of which 5 were fatalities, 43 accidents involving serious injuries and 132 accidents involving minor injuries according to figures given by Head of the Community Relations Department, Superintendent Vannie Curwen.

“We are actually awaiting the legislation to pass to give us the authority to use the breathalyser. Our officers have already been trained; we are just awaiting the rollout of the legislation and as soon as it becomes law. We are hoping that this happens in a matter of weeks and that we are able to use the breathalyser before carnival this year,” said Superintendent Curwen.

Due to the number of accidents, the traffic department has stepped up surveillance on the nation’s roads to detect and deter drivers from speeding, and or using mobile handheld devices while driving. These 2 occurrences, Superintendent Curwen said are the major causes of road accidents.

“To date so far we have issued 167 fixed penalty tickets for use of mobile devices while driving. We have issued 252 fixed penalty tickets for speeding and to date, we have issued 2,911 fixed penalty tickets altogether. The month of May is of particular concern to us, in fact, in that month we have issued 117 fixed penalties for defective tires and we have issued 140 for speeding,” he said.

Another effective strategy used by the RGPF is the use of vehicular clamps to deter drivers from illegally parking especially in the Town of St George.

In 2017 both Houses of Parliament amended the Road Traffic Regulation to clamp down on driving while using mobile handheld devices. This came into effect on 1 February 2018. It also provides for drivers who are suspected to be under the influence of mind-altering substances, to take a mandatory breathalyser test.