Police report…
THE Police Traffic Department has secured 581 convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) for this year, so far.
However, only 150 of the convicts have paid up to now and 431 fines are outstanding, Deputy Traffic Chief John Daniels reported. He told the Guyana Chronicle that DUI is a serious offence and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will not tolerate the irresponsible conduct of some drivers, who, despite warnings, campaigns and the introduction of the breathalyzer test, still choose to drink and drive.
DUI carries a monetary penalty of $7,500 for the first offender, with a one year licence suspension added for the second offence and the permanent loss of the licence on the third conviction.
Daniels explained that charges can be instituted against a driver for being in charge of a vehicle while his/her blood alcohol level is above the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes.
He said, if a driver refuses to take the breathalyser test, the Police can take the person to a hospital where a blood test will be done, even if the individual continues to refuse being tested.
Daniels disclosed that since the breathalyser test was introduced, there has been a decrease in DUI cases, meaning that some people are heeding the appeal to desist from drinking and driving.
He added that the Police ranks who apply the breathalyser are trained through the Ministry of Health and authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Superintendent revealed that DUI is most prevalent in Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Berbice and West Coast Demerara.
He noted, too, that unlicensed driving is a problem and there have been 474 such cases prosecuted, with 107 pending.
Daniels said, apart from pedestrians, motorists are the most vulnerable road users and it has become a trend, recently, that the motorcyclist has more than one pillion riders, especially children.
He said the Police made 345 cases of driving and using cell phone and 111 are still to be tried.
Daniels said speeding led to 8,263 prosecutions, with 2,676 offenders fined, so far.