IN an effort to reduce the incidence of drunk driving, Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam told this publication that the police have a rigid traffic campaign which starts after midnight targeting drivers, who may be returning home after consuming alcohol.Recently, traffic ranks at several police stations started their enforcement campaign in which they have been stopping drivers in the early hours of the morning about 02:00 to 03:00 hrs, asking them to submit to breathalyser tests after reviewing their documents.

Several persons-including women drivers-were found to be above the legal alcohol consumption limit, were charged and subsequently made court appearances.

Amsterdam added that they will not let up on their enforcement campaign against drunk driving, but also sees the need for more education campaigns in which they will use Disc Jockeys (DJs) at parties and other social events to spread the do–not-drink- and-drive message.

He said that once drivers are drinking alcohol they should not drive, instead, they should have a designated driver; but he added that some people want to learn the hard way.

The traffic chief stated that they will be going to bars and other places where drivers are inclined to consume alcohol, and once they decide to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they will act and pull them over.

Amsterdam pointed out that they are hoping that the Ministry of Health will assist them in their enforcement campaign in which some drivers may refuse to take a breathalyser test and prefer a blood test instead.

He explained that in the past, some doctors were reluctant to appear in court to testify against drunk drivers; as such, their cooperation is minimal.

He noted that this year they have seen a reduction in drunk driving and is optimistic the figures will be reduced significantly.

The senior officer said that they will continue with their enforcement campaign and will start during the wee hours of Friday until the weekend is over and it will happen countrywide.

Amsterdam revealed that for 2014 they had recorded 238 drunk-driving cases, while in 2015 they have tallied 459 for the corresponding period.

As for speeding cases, he said that in 2014 they had recorded 4163 and for this year, 6791 cases for the corresponding period.