Drunkards have in the recent past had it easy as they mastered the routes that police often stop motorists for alcoblow. However, this time the government in conjunction with the police are ahead of themselves and have introduced daytime ‘alcoblow’ tests in efforts to curb accidents caused by drunk driving this festive season.
The Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has today warned drivers saying that those who drink alcohol and drive will face the law. He further said that more traffic police officers will be deployed along the highways during the festivities.
“It is really aimed at getting rid of drunks hitting the road early morning while still groggy and not being in full charge of their faculties, hence risk killing themselves, or worse still murdering other innocent people,” said Boinnet.
Boinnet was speaking during an award ceremony held by the Manu Chandaria Foundation, for police officers in recognition of their outstanding acts of bravery in maintenance of Law & Order.
The Inspector General of police pointed out that one of the single most contributors to reckless driving is drunkenness.
Boinnet said that he police will this time deal differently with drunk drivers by having alcoblow tests along the highways both during the day and night.
“People have gotten used to finding alcoblow officers at on the highway at the late hours of the night and by 2 or 3 AM in the morning they are gone, not any more,” he said.
Boinnet also cautioned drivers who have made it a habit to drink far too long in the night in order to avoid alcoblow. He said that such drivers are also being targeted in the operation. Drivers are not the only ones the police boss and his officers are after, the IG further said that they are targeting pedestrians who do not follow traffic rules.
“People crossing the roads anyhow without observing the traffic rules and imagining the driver has seen them will also be dealt with accordingly,” said Boinnet.
According to Boinnet, the alcohol testing will go a long way in ensuring that the number of road fatalities is reduced during this festive season.
The alcoblow gadget has calibrations and the zero mark indicates no detection of alcohol. Any mark between zero and 0.034 on the calibrator indicates alcohol in the breath but the motorist can safely steer a vehicle. However, any reading above this means the driver has impaired judgement.
Do you think the move by the police will help reduce the number of road accidents in the country?