Motorists stand to lose their driving licence for good if they incur two DUI convictions under the proposed breathalyser law, Works Minister Colm Imbert has said.
By Gail AlexanderUnder the bill, people who fail a breathalyser test and are found guilty of drunk driving is liable to a $5,000 fine or six months’ jail for a first conviction. Their licence will be suspended for 12 months.
A second conviction carries a $10,000 fine or 12 months’ jail sentence and permanent disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving permit.
People who refuse to take the test would be liable on conviction to a $5,000 fine or six months’ jail, among other clauses.
Police will have the power to arrest without warrant, persons suspected of having alcohol on their breath or in their bloodstream
“It’s a culture change for T&T ,” Imbert said, “but we have to do it. Drunk driving is perhaps the number one cause of death among youths 18 to 25 today.”
UNC not in total agreement
The Opposition UNC yesterday declined to support the Breathalyser Bill in its present state since it is seriously flawed, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed.
“While we support measures to stop the carnage on the roads, the bill is exceedingly draconian and it is seriously flawed,” she said.
“Although we agreed in principle on mechanisms to stop the carnage on the roads, we can’t support the bill in its present form.”
“It is temperature sensitive and diabetics and other persons with high acetone levels may also test positive with it even though they have not drunk alcohol.”
Persad-Bissessar said the breathlyser system was almost outdated now since more innovative systems to test for drunk driving have been developed.
She produced samples of several types, including some that used urine and saliva samples for testing. Some equipment tested for drugs—cocaine, marijuana, opiates—in the system as well as alcohol.
“This is pure punitive legislation—two strikes and you’re out...But if you don’t have regulations for it, it is like buying cat-in-bag,” she said.
