Dr. Luncheon said at this event the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would be lawfully provided with the approval to enforce the three components with particular attention being paid to driving under the influence (DUI).

“I would take the opportunity to advise you and drivers that the requirements for actually implementing the law have been met with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Traffic Department and the Guyana Police Force,” he said.

“The most recent meeting of the Cabinet disclosed satisfaction for the work done by Minister Rohee and his colleagues in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force in achieving the required public awareness,” he said.

However, the HPS noted that the three aspects of the enacted legislation would need greater publicity to get the attention of citizens.

President Jagdeo had indicated that he would assent to the Bill when he was satisfied that citizens were educated on the provisions of the new law. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force had launched an active public education campaign which included television advertisements and programmes and discussions with civil society through non- governmental organisations and religious bodies.

The Evidence and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly in July 2008, placing a legal limit of a breath alcohol concentration of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and blood alcohol concentration of 80 miligrammes in 100 millilitres, the equivalent of two bottles of beer.

The act provides for a certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner to be received in a court as evidence in relation to analysis of breath or blood test.

If a driver is required to take the breathalyzer test and refuses, he/she can be arrested. If the driver is found to be guilty of a second offence his/her licence will be suspended for one year, and if caught a third time, will be banned from driving legally in Guyana.